The No. 16 Saint Peter’s Peacocks (19-11) meet the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats (26-7) Thursday in the first round of the East Region. Tip from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Saint Peter’s vs. Kentucky odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Kentucky is coming into this game after losing to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals, failing to cover as 3-point favorites.
The Wildcats are led by National Player of the Year candidate C Oscar Tshiebwe, who is averaging 17 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. The Wildcats are 14-18-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
Saint Peter’s was 19-9-1 ATS on the season, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-best. The Peacocks knocked off Monmouth 60-54 in the MAAC final, covering as 2.5-point favorites.
The Peacocks, led by G Darryl Banks III who averages 11.2 points per game, have covered 7 straight games.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Saint Peter’s vs. Kentucky odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:11 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Saint Peter’s +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300) | Kentucky -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Saint Peter’s +17.5 (-108) | Kentucky -17.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Saint Peter’s vs. Kentucky odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 72, Saint Peter’s 56
Money line
PASS.
A -5000 money line in March is always a pass. Given Kentucky’s size advantage, I’ll avoid predicting the upset on this one.
Against the spread
LEAN to SAINT PETER’S +17.5 (-108).
The biggest concern for these smaller schools going against powerhouse, blue-blood programs is the size difference. Saint Peter’s has 8 players that average over 5 points per game, so it’s a deep program. But not a single one of those players stands over 6-foot-7.
However, Saint Peter’s has been a covering machine this season and is playing its best basketball of the season. Also, Saint Peter’s ranked atop its conference in three-point shooting at 36.2%. It also has the second-fewest turnovers per game and the No. 35 Kenpom-ranked defense.
While it’s unlikely they come out on top, Saint Peter’s should be able to at least limit Tshiebwe and potentially keep the game within 18.
Over/Under
LEAN to the UNDER 132.5 (-115).
There aren’t typically strong plays in 15 vs. 2 matchups as there are just too many factors. However, I like the Under here as both teams have a top-40 defense.
Going under the projected total is something both teams are good at as well. The Peacocks are 11-18 O/U this season while the Wildcats are 16-17 O/U. Both teams also rank outside the top 150 in adjusted tempo.
Slow, defensive-minded games typically produce fewer points, and that’s what I expect Thursday.
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