The Kentucky Wildcats (21-10, 10-8 SEC) challenge the Georgia Bulldogs (18-14, 9-11 SEC) in the Southeastern Conference Tourney at Scottrade Center. The game can be seen on ESPN at 3:25 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 137.5 points with Kentucky set as a 4-point favorite.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Betting Prediction
The Bulldogs come in on a high note after edging the Missouri Tigers in their last contest, 62-60. Georgia’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Missouri. The Bulldogs had a rate of 0.236 (matching their season average), while the Tigers posted a mark of 0.125 (below their season average of 0.292). Georgia was led by Yante Maten, who was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
In the Wildcats’ last game, they lost to the Florida Gators, 80-67. Florida’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Kentucky. The Gators had a rate of 0.579 (above their season average of 0.507), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 0.466. Kentucky’s PJ Washington put up 13 points and seven rebounds in the game.
Kentucky could dominate on defense as they face off against one of the NCAA’s worst offenses. The Wildcats rank 38th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.474), while Georgia is 311th in effective field goal percentage (0.479). Furthermore, the Bulldogs, who rank 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 percent), will attempt to exploit the Wildcats, who rank 265th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.5 percent).
Georgia holds records of 18-14 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Bulldogs are involved, as 57.1 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total.
Kentucky is 21-10 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (13-17-1 ATS). Unlike Georgia, games including the Wildcats have typically finished over the total (60.0 percent).
Washington has averaged 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds over the last five games for Kentucky.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 21 points in the first game, in which the Wildcats topped the Bulldogs 66-61 but were unable to cover as 9.5-point favorites. He also had five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 127 points, which was 21.5 points below the projected point total of 148.5 points. The Wildcats knocked down 27 of their 38 free throws (71.1 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.3 vs. 18.2).
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Georgia, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Georgia ranks 13th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while Kentucky ranks 139th (13.4).
The Bulldogs rank 32nd in blocks per game (4.7) while the Wildcats rank 154th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Kentucky ranks 160th in steals per game (5.7) while Georgia ranks 252nd (3.8).
The Bulldogs rank 194th in three pointers allowed per game (22.7) while the Wildcats rank 279th (25.6).
Kentucky averages 39.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA. Georgia ranks 107th in rebounds allowed per game (33.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Georgia is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Kentucky is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 1.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (6.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
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