The Kentucky Wildcats (21-10, 10-8 SEC) and the Georgia Bulldogs (18-14, 9-11 SEC) face off in the Southeastern Conference Tourney at Scottrade Center. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 137.5 points with Kentucky set as a 4-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds Preview
The Bulldogs barely escaped the Missouri Tigers in their last outing, 62-60. Yante Maten was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points on 6-for-15 shooting. The Bulldogs had a much better free throw rate (0.236 vs. 0.125) and held the Tigers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.406 (below their season average of 0.545).
In the Wildcats’ last game, they were beaten by the Florida Gators, 80-67. With 13 points and seven rebounds, Kentucky’s PJ Washington played well. Florida had an effective field goal percentage of 0.579 (above their season average of 0.507). Kentucky, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.1 (above their season average of 36.0).
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Kentucky figures to have a considerable edge. The Wildcats defense ranks 38th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.474), while the Georgia offense is ranked 311th in effective field goal percentage (0.479). Also, the Bulldogs are among the NCAA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 percent). The Wildcats, meanwhile, rank 265th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.5 percent).
These two teams are complete opposites in terms of the O/U total. Games featuring Georgia have gone under 57.1 percent of the time, while 60.0 percent of Kentucky games have gone over. The Wildcats hold the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (21-10 vs. 18-14), but the Bulldogs have been better against the spread (ATS) (15-13 vs. 13-17-1).
Washington has been on fire over the last five games for Kentucky, averaging 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to score 127 points in that game, which was well under the projected point total of 148.5. The Wildcats won 66-61, but were unable to cover as 10-point favorites. The Wildcats played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.500 and a turnover percentage of 11.3. For those same stats, the Bulldogs were 0.224 and 18.2, respectively. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the game’s top overall scorer with 21 points.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds Prediction
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bulldogs rank 194th in three pointers allowed per game (22.7) while the Wildcats rank 279th (25.6).
- Kentucky ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (39.2) while Georgia ranks 107th in rebounds allowed per game (33.9).
- 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).
Bettings Trends:
- Kentucky is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Georgia is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 5.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 70.8 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.2 points per game (0.7 below their season average).
