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The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2) and No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (5-0) meet at the BBN Invitational Tuesday. Tip-off from Rupp Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Western Kentucky vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Kentucky, which is No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, has yet to lose this season. It has closed as a favorite of 20 or more points in 4 of its 5 games, but does have a 77-72 win over the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils (Nov. 12 in Atlanta) on its resume. The Wildcats are coming off a 108-59 victory over the Jackson State Tigers Friday, closing as 35.5-point home favorites.
The Hilltoppers beat the Tigers 79-62 Wednesday, closing as 14.5-point favorites. They lost their first 2 games of the season, both as underdogs, going 1-1 against the spread (ATS). Western Kentucky has bounced back well, winning 3 in a row. It is led by G Don McHenry, who is averaging 17.2 points per game (PPG) this season.
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Western Kentucky at Kentucky odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Kentucky +1750 (bet $100 to win $1,750) | Kentucky -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Western Kentucky +22.5 (-110) | Kentucky -22.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 163.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Kentucky at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 97, Western Kentucky 70
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no reason to take a moneyline favorite of this size. Kentucky, at home, should come out on top with ease, but has better value on the spread.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY -22.5 (-110).
The Hilltoppers have not played an opponent of this caliber yet and should struggle to keep pace. Western Kentucky has scored just over 70 PPG in its 3 games that were on the board.
Meanwhile, Kentucky has scored 100 or more points in 3 of its 4 games as a favorite of 21 or more this season, going 3-0-1 ATS.
Considering those trends, back KENTUCKY -22.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 163.5 (-110).
The Wildcats have gone Over in 4 of 5 games and abused weaker opponents at home. They put up 108 points on Jackson State Friday and have scored at least 97 in 4 of 5 games, with the lone exception being against top-25 Duke Nov. 12.
The Hilltoppers are 1-3 O/U, but should keep up the pace. They’ve scored at least 66 points in all 5 games and at least 72 in 4 of the 5. With that in mind, back OVER 163.5 (-115).
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