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The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) welcome the Bucknell Bison (2-0) to Rupp Arena Saturday. Tip is set for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Bucknell vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Wildcats throttled the Wright State Raiders Monday 103-62, covering as 21.5-point home favorites. G Otega Oweh, who was 8-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-3 on 3-pointers, led 6 Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 21 points. It was Kentucky’s first game under coach Mark Pope, who played for the Wildcats in 1994-96 and coached BYU into 2 NCAA Tournaments during the past 5 seasons — John Calipari left for Arkansas in the offseason.
The Bison have two early-season wins, both on the road. They beat the Delaware Blue Hens 85-73 to open the season, covering as 3.5-point underdogs Monday. They followed that up with a 75-69 overtime win as 3-point favorites vs. the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Thursday. C Noah Williamson averaged 25.5 points per game in the 2 wins, scoring 19 in the opener and 32 vs. Southern Indiana.
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Bucknell 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 1:28 a.m. ET,
- Moneyline (ML): Bucknell +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | Kentucky -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bucknell +22.5 (-105) | Kentucky -22.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Bucknell at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 90, Bucknell 64
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s nothing to see here. Kentucky (-10000) is far too expensive, and the Bison (+2000) will be overmatched against a Top-25 team. AVOID.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY -22.5 (-115).
The Wildcats walloped Wright State Monday and will enter as the more rested side as the Bison have played two road games since Monday.
Kentucky should also have a major size advantage. It was extremely efficient in its season-opening win as well, shooting 60.0% from the field and 45.8% from 3. Expect that to continue.
Bucknell shot just 40.4% against Southern Indiana and struggled despite covering as a slight favorite. With that in mind, expect the Wildcats’ efficiency to help it separate early.
TAKE KENTUCKY -22.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 152.5 (-110).
Bucknell is 1-1 O/U and is averaging 80 points per game. Kentucky is 1-0 O/U and put up 103 on Wright State, and it should have a similar scoring performance Saturday.
The Wildcats were challenged by their new coach after their win to be better on the rebounding side, so they might be crashing the glass more in this battle. As mentioned, Kentucky shot 45.8% from deep Monday, so it should be able to score in bunches.
Considering these trends, BACK OVER 152.5 (-110).
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