Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com thinks Kansas will defeat Kentucky when the two teams meet in January.
Goodman gives Kentucky plenty of credit but ultimately believes historic Allen Fieldhouse will be the difference in the game.
Here’s an excerpt on why Goodman thinks Kansas will knock off the Wildcats:
Bill Self’s record at Allen Fieldhouse is a ridiculous 190-9, so the numbers certainly tilt heavily in favor of Kansas in this one. While most of the 190 victories didn’t come against teams the caliber of Kentucky, I’m still going with Kansas. Allen Fieldhouse is as hostile a venue (Kansas and Duke are 1A and 1B) as any in the country. However, one advantage Kentucky will have is that this SEC/Big 12 matchup won’t come in the first month of the season – as the majority of the nonconference matchups. It will be played on Jan. 30 – and the Wildcats should have plenty of swagger and the freshmen (Labissiere, Murray, Briscoe) enough experience coming into this one.
I’ll still go with KU due to home court, experience and more depth – with the caveat that Diallo is cleared to play this season. Diallo is everything that many felt that Cliff Alexander would be a year ago – a tough, physical inside player who goes hard on every possession and is able to dominate on the glass.
Final Score: Kansas 71, Kentucky 68.
