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LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball and Vanderbilt both have had a rough go of it since they met last month at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.
After trailing by 14 at halftime, the Wildcats staged a furious second-half comeback to take a seven-point lead. But they couldn’t hold on, as the Commodores escaped with a 74-69 victory.
Since that game, UK is 3-3, posting a pair of wins over Tennessee (at home and on the road) and a rout of South Carolina while falling to Arkansas, Ole Miss and Texas. Vandy has had it even worse: It is just 1-4 since topping Kentucky. Its lone triumph in that stretch was over Texas, while it suffered setbacks to Oklahoma, Florida, Auburn and Tennessee.
The Wildcats and Commodores clash again tonight, facing off at Rupp Arena.
Despite last month’s loss, UK still has a dominant advantage in the all-time series, ahead 157-50.
Kentucky (17-8, 6-6 SEC) is No. 21 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the AP Top 25; Vanderbilt (17-8, 5-7) is unranked in both polls.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game from home:
UK and Vanderbilt are slated to tip off at 7 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 6⅟₂-point home favorite (-108) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 161 ½ points (-115). The money line odds are Kentucky -278, Vanderbilt +225.
The contest between the Wildcats and Commodores will air on SEC Network. Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Daymeon Fishback (analyst) will have the call.
Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
You also can stream SEC Network on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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