Kentucky vs. Arizona State Prediction, Game Preview

The Kentucky Wildcats are back home in Lexington, Ky. to host the Arizona State Sun Devils in Rupp Arena. Below is the Kentucky vs. Arizona State prediction and game preview.

Kentucky vs. Arizona State Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Game Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Network: ESPN

Why You Need To Care

Well, losing their first road game of the year against UCLA wasn’t exactly how the Wildcats hoped it would go. The Bruins handled Kentucky better than most expected with an 87-77 win.

How did John Calipari’s team respond? Let’s just say Eastern Kentucky went home pleased that its 88-67 loss in Rupp Arena wasn’t much worse. And now the Wildcats sit at 8-1, hungry for another win because, well, that’s just how Calipari teams operate.

For Arizona State, a 6-2 record is nothing to scoff at, but those two losses were not pretty. The Sun Devils dropped their season opener to Sacramento State 66-63. And, sure, they won the next three games, but then Arizona State fell to Marquette 78-73 in overtime. Both were games that were easily winnable for Bobby Hurley’s team.

Those two losses may grow to three after this one. Kentucky doesn’t lose often — especially when in Lexington, Ky.

Why Kentucky Will Win

The Wildcats’ young roster has impressed — specifically from the backcourt. Jamal Murray and Isaiah Briscoe are the team’s top-two scorers, combining for 28.2 points per game. Sophomore Tyler Ulis has also contributed with 12.1 points per game. The trio of guards have teamed up to post 11.1 assists per game for Kentucky. Calipari will once again depend on them to make plays and open up the floor. Skal Labissiere also needs to have a breakout game, which just hasn’t happened yet for some reason. Sure, he’s carved out five games with double figures, but he hasn’t recorded a double-double yet. The moment he puts it all together is a moment college basketball swallows air with fear.

Why Arizona State Will Win

Hurley is going to ask Gerry Blakes and Tra Holder to hang with Kentucky’s primetime guards on the defensive end. Blakes and Holder combine for just 1.8 steals per game, but this challenge is more about staying in front of Briscoe, Murray and Ulis — not letting them get into space to make plays. Savon Goodman will lead the offensive attack with his 62.3 percent shooting. Goodman posts 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, but he’ll need to reach a little further to beat the Wildcats in Kentucky.

What’s Going To Happen?

As usual, Kentucky will defend its home court. Goodman will hit double figures, and the duo of Blakes and Holder will make some plays, too, but the Wildcats will just overpower them. Murray and Briscoe will force turnovers, and Ulis will set up others for open looks at the other end of the court. Look for Labissiere to potentially get his first double-double of his young career. He has to breakout sooner or later, and it feels like this is the game to do it — against the Sun Devils and their disadvantage in the size department.