College Basketball 2017: Kentucky @ Mississippi State

You don’t tend to think of the SEC as a powerhouse college basketball conference, which is why it may come as a surprise to learn that an SEC team has won the tournament 11 times, third best out of all the conferences. In recent years, it has been Kentucky who have looked the most likely to be at the top of the heap when March Madness predictions ends, and it is beginning to look that way again in the SEC. Kentucky are once again on top in the conference, but they are not exactly having it all their way, as there are a few teams pushing them for that top spot. One of those teams is the rather surprising Mississippi State Bulldogs. They are 4th in the SEC right now, and find themselves a game and a half back of the Wildcats. The Bulldogs have a chance to close that gap when they welcome in the Kentucky on Tuesday night, but they also know it’s going to be a tough one against one of the top ranked teams in the country.

A Closer Look At The College Basketball 2017 Betting Odds: Wildcats At Bulldogs

When: Tuesday, January 17 at 7 PM EST Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville TV: ESPN Live Stream: Watch ESPN NCAAB Odds: TBA    

Why bet on the Kentucky Wildcats

This will only be the 4th road game for Kentucky this season, and so far they have posted a 2-1 record away from home. Their lone road defeat was not really one that they can hang their heads about as they went down 73-70 to Louisville, who were ranked #10 at the time. Since that defeat, Kentucky have bounced back nicely, winning their first 5 conference games, two of which came on the road. While the Wildcats have the best record in the SEC at covering the spread, going 11-6 ATS, they are just 1-2 ATS on the road. Kentucky Wildcats has won 9 of their last 10 meetings versus the Bulldogs, so they have to like their chances here.

Why bet on the Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs saw their conference schedule get off to a rocky start with a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but you have to give this team some credit, as they have been able to bounce back to hit 3 in a row, taking their overall record to 12-4. Mississippi State have been solid at home this season, going 7-3, and they have also been a good bet ATS, going 8-6 overall, although they are just 3-4 ATS on home court. The big question mark here is whether they are going to be able to break out of their 9-game losing skid versus Kentucky, a run that dates all the way back to 2009, which was the last time they took down the Wildcats in regular season play.  

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Both teams are coming in on a bit of a winning run, but it has to end or one of them, and the numbers would suggest that it will be Kentucky who keep the good times rolling.

Kentucky Wildcats 74 Mississippi State Bulldogs 64