Kentucky Wildcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction, 1/3/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Kentucky Wildcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL

TV: ESPN

The Kentucky Wildcats (9-4) are on their way to Coleman Coliseum on Saturday where they will attempt to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3).

The Kentucky Wildcats played Bellarmine and took home the win by a score of 99-85 in their last contest. Kentucky ended having earned a 58.9% field goal percentage (33 out of 56) and made 16 of 30 shots from 3-point land. From the free throw line, the Wildcats knocked down 17 of their 24 attempts for a rate of 70.8%. In regard to grabbing rebounds, they compiled 29 with 11 of them being of the offensive sort. They also distributed 24 dimes in this game while forcing 11 turnovers and getting 8 steals. When talking about the defense, Kentucky allowed the other team to shoot 52.0% from the field on 26 of 50 shooting. Bellarmine dished out 15 dimes and had 8 steals for the matchup. In addition, Bellarmine collected 20 boards (7 offensive, 13 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Bellarmine shot 86.7% from the charity stripe by converting 26 of their 30 tries. They made 7 out of their 19 attempts from long range. In reference to personal fouls, the Wildcats finished with 23 while Bellarmine accumulated 20 personal fouls.

Kam Williams is someone who was a major contributor for this game. He notched 26 points on 8 out of 10 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 22 minutes and grabbed 1 rebound. He walked away from this one shooting 80.0% from the field but wasn't able to get an assist.

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Kentucky will enter this matchup with a mark of 9-4 on the year. They have an average of 84.9 points per contest (62nd in the country) while shooting 48.5% from the field. The Wildcats are shooting 33.7% from downtown (114 of 338) and 74.8% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Kentucky is collecting 40.2 rebounds per contest and has accounted for 238 dimes on the year, which ranks 52nd in the nation in terms of passing the rock. They are giving up possession 10.2 times per game and as a unit are committing 16.8 fouls on a nightly basis.

On the defensive end, the Wildcats are forcing their opponents into 11.8 turnovers on a nightly basis and they draw 17.1 personal fouls. They relinquish 28.9% from beyond the arc and they are 66th in college hoops in points per game from their opponents (67.8). The Wildcats are allowing a shooting percentage of 39.2% (300 of 765) and they surrender 32.6 rebounds per game as a unit. They are 186th in college in giving up assists with 182 surrendered on the campaign.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Alabama Crimson Tide went home victorious with a score of 102-78 against Yale. When talking about attacking the glass, Alabama allowed Yale to grab 34 overall (11 on the offensive glass). They finished 39.1% from beyond the arc by connecting on 9 out of 23 and walked away from this one shooting 19 out of 26 at the free throw line (73.1%). The Crimson Tide allowed Yale to make 25 of their 63 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 39.7% for this game. When the final whistle was blown, the Crimson Tide walked away from this one shooting 34 out of 77 from the field which gave them a percentage of 44.2%. When discussing shooting from 3-point land, Alabama knocked down 22 of their 54 attempts (40.7%). They were able to bury 12 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 75.0%. Yale earned 19 personal fouls for this game which got the Crimson Tide to the free throw line for 16 attempts. They also gave up possession 5 times, while recording 4 steals in the matchup. The Crimson Tide snagged 24 defensive rebounds and 17 offensive rebounds totaling 41 for the matchup.

Aden Holloway pitched in for the Crimson Tide for this game. He knocked down 9 of 15 for the matchup for a rate of 60.0%, but wasn't able to grab a board. He earned 26 points in his 27 mins of playing time and tallied 7 dimes for the game.

Alabama has a record of 10-3 on the year. As an offensive unit, the Crimson Tide are shooting 46.8% from the field, which has them ranked 120th in the nation. Alabama has totaled 1,229 points so far this year (94.5 per game) and they snag 42.2 rebounds per contest. They are dishing out assists 17.6 times per game (44th in D-1) and they are giving up possession 10.1 times per contest. The Crimson Tide are responsible for committing 18.8 fouls per contest and they go 76.1% from the charity stripe.

The Crimson Tide on defense are ranked 334th in college in points per game surrendered with 81.6. They are forcing their opponents into 10.8 turnovers on a nightly basis and have let teams shoot 41.9% from the floor (104th in D-1). The Alabama defense gives up 32.1% on shots from distance (103 of 321) and their opponents are knocking down 68.5% of their free throw shots. They have conceded 13.8 dimes and 40.9 rebounds per contest, which ranks 217th and 357th in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Kentucky

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