While they may be in charge of the gridiron, the teams in the SEC are not that well known for their high level of performance on the hard court. Yes, the Florida Gators won back to back titles a few years ago, but the reality is that conferences other than the SEC come to mind when you talk about the best teams in college basketball. We may well be looking at a little shift in the balance of power this season, though, as it is the SEC that is home to the #1 team in the nation right now, the Tennessee Volunteers.
They are deserving of their spot, but they have some close company in the conference, as the Kentucky Wildcats are up in the #5 spot, which is not unknown territory for them. The Wildcats will be looking to put some pressure on the Vols by continuing to pick up wins, but they will have a tough one ahead of them on Tuesday night, as it will be the #19 ranked LSU Tigers coming to town. Kentucky is in as an 8-point home favorite, with the point total set at 149.
LSU vs Kentucky NCAA Basketball Betting Lines & Pick
Thread: @LSUBasketball vs. Auburn 🎞
Auburn 3s: First 15 minutes: 11 Last 25 minutes: 5 As you’ll see in second clip, LSU got more aggressive with backside help from the wing. Also, watch how well Kavell Bigby-Williams guards the ball. What a defender he is. pic.twitter.com/g1AkgnuuJr — Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) 12 de febrero de 2019
- When: Tuesday, February 12 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- NCAA Basketball Betting Lines: Kentucky Wildcats -8 (Total 149)
Duke at Louisville NCAA Basketball Odds & Prediction
Why bet on the LSU Tigers?
Since starting the season at 7-3, the LSU Tigers have been about as close to perfect as it gets, going 12-1 SU in their last 13 games. They are a very impressive 9-1 in conference play, a run of form that has them within a single game of Kentucky at the top. The Tigers have just 8 games left in the season, with 2 of the remaining fixtures featuring games against Kentucky and Tennessee.
If they can win even one of those games and win the rest of their SEC match-ups, they will be sitting in a pretty decent position once Selection Sunday rolls around. The LSU Tigers have been a great bet of late, covering the spread in 8 of their last 10 games. They have also been good on the road, going 5-1 ATS and 3-1 ATS as a road dog.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 83.35
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.09
- Three-Point Percentage: 32.73
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.07
- Total Rebounds: 38.39
Defense
- Total Score: 73.39
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.06
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.54
- Free Throw Percentage: 69.57
- Total Rebounds: 32.87
Why bet on the Kentucky Wildcats?
The Kentucky Wildcats have been the class of the SEC for as long as anyone can remember, and while they are playing second fiddle to the Tennessee Volunteers right now, there are very few folks who don’t believe that this group has a shot at going all the way this year. The Wildcats are sitting at 9-1 in conference play, with their lone loss coming at the hands of Alabama.
That 2-point defeat seemed to serve as a bit of a wake-up call, as the Wildcats have reeled off 10 straight wins since going down to the Crimson Tide. During that run, they have gone 8-2 ATS, although it should be noted that the games they failed to cover were on home court. That is not so unusual this season, as Kentucky is just 7-6 ATS in their own building.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 78.70
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.80
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.68
- Free Throw Percentage: 74.77
- Total Rebounds: 39.04
Defense
- Total Score: 65.17
- Field Goal Percentage: 40.59
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.56
- Free Throw Percentage: 67.99
- Total Rebounds: 29.22
NCAA Bracketology: Predicting 2019 March Madness Field
LSU vs Kentucky NCAA Basketball Betting Trends
- LSU is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- LSU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of LSU’s last 13 games on the road
- Kentucky is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
- Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kentucky’s last 5 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
While I like Kentucky to win this one, I am somewhat on the fence about the point spread. I am looking at a push here, but I could be talked into the Wildcats covering by the slimmest of margins.
Score: LSU Tigers 72 – Kentucky Wildcats 80
