Ole Miss vs. Kentucky: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The No. 1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats are on a roll, and the Ole Miss Rebels are next in line to tangle with the nation's top team. Perhaps the country can blame the Indiana Hoosiers—after all, they are the ones that defeated the Wildcats on a last-second shot on December 10th.

It was the Cats' only loss of the season, and they've won 17 straight since. Can the Rebels upend this freight train?

Let's talk about it.

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

When: Saturday, Feb 18 at 4:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN, ESPN Full Court

Listen: WKYM 101.7 FM Kentucky, WFMN 97.3 FM Ole Miss

Betting Line: none available as of publishing

Key Injuries

Kentucky: No injuries to report

Ole Miss: No injuries to report

What's At Stake?

For Kentucky, they can all but wrap up the SEC with a win. They are 11-0 in conference play, and they lead Florida by a firm three games in the standings. Moving to 12-0 with only four SEC games remaining would just about wrap up the regular-season title.

Ole Miss doesn't have much hope of making the NCAA tournament, but if they are going to put on a miraculous run, it'll have to start here.

An upset of Kentucky probably won't get it done alone, but it's the best possible start. The Rebels' most realistic shot at reaching the NCAA tournament is to win here and have an unexpected run in the SEC tournament.  

What They're Saying

Ole Miss is in the middle of one of their toughest two game runs of the season. They have Vanderbilt before they take on Kentucky. Associated Press quoted Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy discussing this rough stretch:

"

I try not to get too far ahead. When you get into the grind of the season, it's just getting to the next day. That's been our approach. That's what I want our kids to do so I try to live it myself. Vanderbilt's outstanding—just like Kentucky, there are not a lot of holes in their game.

"

If, by some stretch, the Rebels win both of these games, they would truly be a bubble team with a good shot at an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament.

The Wildcats held a public practice just two days ago that, of course, drew quite a crowd. Brett Dawson of Catsillustrated.com quoted head coach John Calipari discussing the practice:

"

The whole idea—and it kind of mushrooms like everything else we do around here—but it was only supposed to be an open practice. I want the students into it, I want the players alert and focused through the week.

"

I'm not sure what Coach Cal expected, as this is the No. 1 team in the nation. If you have a public practice with, oh say, five future NBA first-round picks on your roster, it's going to be a big deal. 

Ole Miss Player To Watch: Murphy Holloway

Holloway is the Rebels' best all-around player. He averages nearly a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds per game. He will have his hands full as he tries to contend with the Wildcats' long and athletic frontcourt.

If he can be a force on the glass to help limit Wildcats second chances, Ole Miss has a better shot at pulling the upset.

Kentucky Player To Watch: Anthony Davis 

Davis has emerged as the best of a group of very talented Wildcats. He controls games with his defense and rebounding. His defensive presence in the paint will be huge in this one. The Rebels only shoot 29 percent from the arc. If Davis can intimidate, and assist the defense in turning Ole Miss into a jump shooting team, it's going to be a long night for the Rebels.

Key Matchup

Holloway versus Davis will be the key matchup. If Holloway can make Davis work on defense as a defender, and hopefully get him in foul trouble, it could change some things.

Davis' blocked shots and rebounding get the Wildcats into transition where no team can compete with them. Getting Davis off the floor is the first step in leveling the playing field.

You won't get him in foul trouble taking the ball right at him; he's too long, and the rest of the Wildcats defenders are too athletic. It would have to come from a post scorer.

Holloway is the best the Rebels have. 

Prediction

Kentucky 90, Ole Miss 70 

Kentucky is a machine right now, and no team without a post presence or good three-point shooters has a chance to knock them off, especially not at home. 

The Wildcats will roll.