Kansas @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2017 ) Kentucky 61, Kansas 65

Kentucky's 22-9 record against Kansas accounts for the bulk of the 14-game difference that exists between the two college basketball programs with the most all-time victories, but the Jayhawks' recent success in the series has helped to close the gap. The ninth-ranked Wildcats attempt to end their recent woes against Kansas on Saturday when they host the 10th-ranked Jayhawks as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Since crushing the Jayhawks 72-40 at the Champions Classic in Indianapolis in 2014, Kentucky has dropped three straight to Kansas - all of which have been decided by no more than six points, including a 65-61 setback in Chicago early last season. “Our players live to play in these types of games. Kentucky players do as well. There is something very competitive when you get Kentucky and Kansas together,” said Jayhawks coach Bill Self, who is the only Kansas coach to own a winning record (6-3) against the Wildcats. Kentucky enters this matchup on a five-game winning streak, coming off consecutive wins versus ranked foes in No. 15 Auburn and No. 22 Mississippi State. The Jayhawks avenged an earlier loss to 25th-ranked Iowa State on Monday but have struggled away from home, falling to 1-3 in true road games following last Saturday's 65-64 defeat at West Virginia.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT KANSAS (16-3): Dedric Lawson ranks second in the conference in scoring (19.5 points), eighth in the country in rebounding (Big 12-best 10.9) and posted his second straight double-double Monday with 29 points and 15 rebounds, giving him 13 for the season (tied for second in Division I). Lagerald Vick is seventh in the league in scoring (15.0 points), leads the Big 12 in 3-point field-goal percentage (47.1) and has knocked down at least two triples in every conference game. Sophomore guard Marcus Garrett (7.7 points) has emerged as a key third offensive contributor over the last three contests, averaging 17 points - providing at least 15 in each outing - after scoring no more than 13 in any of his first 54 career games.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (15-3): Sophomore forward PJ Washington (12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) enjoyed his first 20-point game in over a month with 21 against the Bulldogs and tied a season high with four blocks. Freshman guard Tyler Herro (13.7 points) shot only 2-of-7 inside the arc Tuesday but converted all three of his 3-point tries and each of his five free-throw attempts to finish with 18 points, sending the Wildcats to 10-0 when he scores at least 15. Ashton Hagans managed only two steals against the Bulldogs - ending a seven-game streak with at least three, the longest for a freshman in a major conference since Chris Paul in 2003-04 - but tallied a season-high nine assists.

TIP-INS

1. The Wildcats lead college basketball with 2,278 victories, while Kansas is second with 2,264.

2. The Jayhawks have won 13 consecutive regular-season games against AP top-10 opponents. The last such setback was the 32-point loss to Kentucky in 2014.

3. The Wildcats are 11-0 at home this season and have won 14 straight at Rupp Arena.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 72, Kansas 64