Mired in a 2-5 stretch, the Texas A&M Aggies are in need of a big win when they host the SEC-leading Kentucky Wildcats (14).
Kentucky is riding a four-game winning streak into College Station and could put the regular season title all but out of reach for the Aggies with a win. But Kentucky is also trying to hold off LSU, who is one game behind them and slated to visit the Wildcats for the regular season finale.
Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. ET in College Station, Texas
Line: Texas A&M -1.5
TV: ESPN
Watch live online: WatchESPN
Listen live online: TuneIn Radio
Kentucky head coach John Calipari has always built his squads around dominant big men (DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns). But amid a disappointing season from center Skal Labissiere, it has been freshman point guard Jamal Murray that has stepped up.
Murray is leading Kentucky with 19.2 points per game, but is averaging 28 over Kentucky's four-game win streak. If Texas A&M can find a way to contain Murray, they may be able to throw Kentucky's offense off rhythm, and will then try to beat Kentucky at their own game.
"They're so big. If you don't have a presence that can hold them back a little bit, they can dominate you all around that goal," Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a pregame press conference. "They're big and they're long. Mississippi has a guy that almost had his eye poked out. Mississippi is undermanned right now. I thought they had a chance. Andy (Kennedy) is doing everything he can to keep his team alive right now. When you have injuries with your best two players, you're trying to survive, and it's hard."
