Kentucky Takes on Texas A&M

The heavily-favored wildcats are No. 21 in the nation right now and already have their sights already set on some tournament play. However, they will be challenged tonight by No. 11 Texas A&M; a team which hasn’t started their conference play off in the best way. Even though the Aggies have lost their first three SEC games (one of those being Florida), they still shouldn’t be written off just yet. Kentucky’s Head Coach John Calipari questioned how tough the team was on Monday after their loss to Tennessee. Tonight will be a test to see if Calipari’s ranked team can buck up or give the Aggies their first conference win.

Kentucky’s Bounce Back

Kentucky (12-3 overall, 2-1 SEC) are 3rd in the SEC right now, but are hungry to bounce back from the loss to Tennessee on Saturday. In the game against the Volunteers, the Wildcats had 16 turnovers, which ultimately cost them the game. It also didn’t help that their normal leading scorer, Kevin Knox, scored only 6 points in the game, 4 of those coming from free throws.

Calipari said the Aggies play very physical and his team really needs to toughen up to win.

Calipari kept hammering home the idea of fighting to win in Monday’s SEC teleconference. It seems this will be the key to them doing well for the rest of the season and into tournament play.

Aggies Don’t Want Bama… Just a Conference Win

Texas A&M (11-4 overall, 0-3 SEC) is going into this game with some players coming back from illness. If they aren’t healthly on the road, the Wildcats might just have an easier time getting a win. Robert Williams and Admon Gilder are expected to play, so it’s looking like the Aggies will be at full strength going into tonight.

Texas A&M have proven they are a threat this season with some nice wins against USC, West Virginia and Oklahoma State. It seems that just because they started conference play off to a rocky start that everyone has forgotten about their ranking.

Coach Billy Kennedy said that he is still confident in his team despite having a 0-3 start in conference play.

All in. ✊

🏀 🆚 Kentucky
🕗: 6:00 CT
📺: @espn
💻: https://t.co/loCI5RFCXC
📻: https://t.co/9WMjHZvoN0
📊: https://t.co/WCJZuuvrSM#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/VKhw8KY5Pg

— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) January 9, 2018

The Aggies really need a win tonight to get out of the bottom of the conference standings.

Where to Watch

Tip off is set for 7 p.m on ESPN.