Kentucky @ Texas Tech preview

Fourteenth-ranked Kentucky is used to playing in hostile environments with a target on its back, so Saturday's Big 12/SEC Challenge at No. 18 Texas Tech will be nothing new - except for the free beer. Red Raiders coach Chris Beard and guard Davide Moretti invited students to a pregame tailgate complete with food and beer - for those of legal age, which should bring a little more of a buzz through the doors of United Supermarkets Arena.

"Going in, that’ll be one of the best environments we’ll play in,'' Wildcats coach John Calipari told reporters. "Now, the good news is, the Arkansas environment, the Georgia environment, the South Carolina - everywhere we go is that way, but this may be on top of that.'' Kentucky is second in the SEC (5-1) after an 89-79 victory over Georgia on Tuesday while Texas Tech lost at TCU 65-54 the same night, and sits in the middle of the Big 12 pack at 3-3. The Wildcats are led by Nick Richards, who leads the club in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, while freshman Jahmi'us Ramsey averages a team-high 15.5 points for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has won 54 straight non-conference home games, including 34 under Beard.

TIME: 6 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN

ABOUT KENTUCKY (14-4): Richards has averaged 16.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks over the last seven games, raising his season numbers to 13.7, 7.8 and 2.4. Ashton Hagans (13.6 points) has recorded at least five assists in his last 15 contests and leads the SEC at 7.3 per game while ninth nationally entering Friday. Immanuel Quickley (13.6 points) and freshman Tyrese Maxey (13.3) each average 4.2 rebounds and shoot 91.8 and 81.2 percent, respectively, from the free throw line.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (12-6): Kyler Edwards, who is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week after scoring 46 points in wins at Kansas State on Jan. 14 and over Iowa State on Jan. 18, recorded nine points, five rebounds and four assists against TCU and averages 11.8, 4.5 and 3.1. Moretti (13 points per game) scored eight Tuesday after averaging 15.7 in his previous three contests. Freshman guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (11.4 points) has reached double figures in three of his last four games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wildcats haven't won by fewer than seven points this season.

2. The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in assists (16.39 per game) and turnover margin (plus-3.44).

3. Kentucky has won all four meetings with the last coming in 1994.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 69, Kentucky 68