Bodog Beat

Chris Lofton leads No. 5 Tennessee into Kentucky in NCAA Basketball action. (AI Wire photo)

Another classic Southeastern Conference rivalry will be renewed this evening. But this time, the script has been flipped.

For as long as many can remember, Kentucky has been the class of the SEC with the als-ran teams clearly in its rear-view. But this season, the Wildcats are off to a terrible start (7-9, 1-2 in SEC play) while the Tennessee Volunteers are sky-high.

Long known for the success of its womens program, Tennessee's men are now a force to be reckoned with. The Vols are 16-1 this season with impressive victories over West Virginia, Ohio State, Gonzaga, No. 24 Xavier, No. 15 Mississippi and No. 14 Vanderbilt. Led by the scoring prowess of guard JaJuan Smith (14.2 points per game) and Chris Lofton (13.4), Tennessee is a viable national title contender and has clearly distinguished itself as the team to beat in the highly competitive SEC.

Kentucky, meanwhile, has gone into a tailspin in its first season under coach Billy Gillispie. After seeming righting the ship with a double OT win over Vandy, the 'Cats have dropped two straight (to unranked Mississippi State and Florida) and are in serious danger of finishing under .500 this season – an unfathomable thought in the basketball-crazed state.

Kentucky comes into the contest as a five-point home dog at Rupp Arena.

Some betting trends to consider:

• Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
• Tennessee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
• Tennessee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tennessee's last 5 games
• Kentucky is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Tennessee
• Kentucky is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Tennessee
• Kentucky is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kentucky's last 7 games at home

NCAA College Basketball Betting!