Are You Taking Kentucky +3.5 at Houston?

According to Jeff Sagarin and Ken Pomeroy, both UAB and Houston are two of the better teams in Conference USA -- at least of the teams not located in Memphis -- and UAB was able to pull off a win against Kentucky last Saturday. Knowing those facts, I can't decide whether or not I'm surprised that when Kentucky takes the floor tonight against the Cougars in Houston, Big Blue will be underdogs. At least they will be in many sportsbooks, where UK is getting 3.5 points in tonight's game (of course, this is all "for entertainment purposes only," natch).

After all, this isn't Phi Slama Jama Houston, although they do some things well. They can shoot from behind the arc: UH is ninth nationally in three pointers made (and good for 38%). The Coogs take a lot of shots overall, and that means chances for rebounds. Statistically, Houston's a slightly better rebounding team, but they haven't played nearly the schedule Kentucky has. In a rebounding matchup, Patrick Patterson could have a big night for UK.

After all, Kentucky -- while reeling a little right now -- is still Kentucky. They've got Ramel Bradley, who can shoot the lights out, and they'll get some minutes from Jodie Meeks, who hasn't played since the 'Cats loss to Gardner-Webb in the second game of the season. That loss started the downward spiral that claimed four Kentucky losses in seven games, but a big win tonight could pull UK out of the nose dive.

So again I ask: would you take Kentucky and the points? Or will struggles continue for Billy Gillespie and co.?