**Kentucky at Auburn**

--The Big Blue Nation was hitting the panic button this time last week. Now that's not to imply that a modest two-game winning streak has cured all that ails UK fans in the Commonwealth, but it's a start. First, Kentucky (12-6 straight up, 5-9 against the spread) went into Stegeman Coliseum last Tuesday and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 69-55 win over Georgia in a pick 'em matchup. Then on Saturday, Rajon Rondo hit his second game-winning shot in three weeks, draining a 3-ball from the left wing with one second left to lift the Wildcats to an 80-78 win over South Carolina.

--Rondo's heroics prevented the unfathomable, the first three-game home losing streak for the 'Cats since the 1966-67 season. However, it wasn't enough for UK backers to cash tickets, as the Gamecocks covered the spread as six-point underdogs. South Carolina actually led by as many as 12 in the second half, surging to a 58-46 advantage after going on a 15-0 run. But the 'Cats answered, scoring 20 of the next 24 points. Patrick Sparks found his touch from the perimeter, draining 4-of-6 shots from 3-point land.

--Auburn (8-7 SU, 4-6 ATS) has lost four consecutive games since SEC play started, posting just one spread cover in a 69-57 loss at Florida as an 18-point 'dog. The Tigers are off a 68-52 loss to Arkansas as 3 1/2-point home 'dogs.

--UK sophomore center Randolph Morris has scored in double figures in each of his four games since returning to the team. Morris is averaging 13.8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per contest.

--Kentucky has won six in a row against Auburn. The 'Cats are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 head-to-head meetings against the Tigers.

--The 'under' is 5-1-1 in the last seven Auburn-UK games with a total.

--The 'under' has prevailed in each of Auburn's four SEC games.

--Most spots are listing the 'Cats as four-point favorites with a total of 127.

--Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.


**Indiana at Iowa**

--Indiana (12-3 SU, 5-7 ATS) has won eight of its nine games and is in a first-place tie with Wisconsin atop the Big Ten standings. With that said, we must note IU's 1-4 ATS slump in its last five outings.

--Iowa (14-5 SU, 4-11 ATS) is unbeaten at home with an 11-0 record, but the Hawkeyes haven't been successful for our purposes, posting a mediocre 2-5 ATS record at home.

--Steve Alford's team is in bounce-back mode following Saturday's 85-55 loss at Michigan State as a seven-point 'dog.

--The Hoosiers are off a 62-49 'non-covering' win against Purdue as 17-point home favorites. Marco Killingsworth paced IU with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

--Killingsworth has had the most impact of any transfer in the country. The former Auburn player leads the Hoosiers in scoring (20.1 points per game) and rebounding (7.5 RPG).

--Mike Davis' squad has won three of its five road games, compiling a 2-2 spread mark.

--Iowa has covered the number in four of its last five games against Indiana. Two of the last three meetings have gone to overtime.

--The 'under' is 5-2 for Iowa at home.

--Most spots have Iowa tabbed as a 2 1/2-point 'chalk' with a 129-point tally.

--ESPN will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.