Saturday’s feature game, as judged by the ESPN Gameday Crew’s visit to Lexington, pits Tennessee vs. Kentucky. The Wildcats are ranked #2 in the country and have been beaten just once all season long. The Volunteers have already beaten the #1 team in the

2010-02-12

Saturday’s feature game, as judged by the ESPN Gameday Crew’s visit to Lexington, pits Tennessee vs. Kentucky. The Wildcats are ranked #2 in the country and have been beaten just once all season long. The Volunteers have already beaten the #1 team in the country, Kansas, but at other times have looked just awful. Which of coach Bruce Pearl’s teams, Jekyll or Hyde, shows up for this showdown will have a major impact on which team wins and/or covers the pointspread. Speaking of which, get the latest price for this SEC dual on the Sportsbook.com LIVE ODDS page.

You have to tip your cap to coach Pearl. While most coaches and players talk about overcoming adversity, which many people never quite grasp, this Tennessee (18-5, 9-11 ATS) club really has with earlier suspensions that rocked the team. It says a lot about the coach and players. Though basketball is a team game, each individual had to make conscious decision to played better, work harder and the basketball world marvels at what the Volunteers have been able to accomplish since the New Year began. Pearl will need another trick up his sleeve at Kentucky; however the Vols are 6-3 ATS as road underdogs, including the rear-end kicking they received at Vandy this past Tuesday.

All the early discussion was how terrific guard John Wall was, the best point guard since Jason Kidd coming into college. Wall has not disappointed anyone with his singular play, but as the season has worn on, center DeMarcus Cousins has turned into a double-double machine, and perhaps even more important to the team’s success. He wants the ball when Kentucky (23-1, 11-11 ATS) needs a basket and as opposed to many 6’11 big guys, he’s got a good stroke from the free throw line. One of the most striking aspects of these two and fellow freshman Eric Bledsoe, they love to compete and when Big Blue is off a non-cover like what happened against Alabama the last time out, they are 20-8 ATS, including the current group at 10-0 SU & 7-1 ATS.

The Wildcats have taken 10 of last 12 at Rupp Arena vs. the Vols, though are just 6-6 ATS.

The StatFox Power Line shows Kentucky by 12, and many bettors may take particular interest in the total for this contest, since both clubs love to get up & down the court.

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