Game Predictions
Even though the Tigers got the better of this team back in January, it’s incredibly difficult to beat the Wildcats at home. So hard, in fact, that no one has done it this season. UK is 16-0 within the confines of Rupp.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index doesn’t love LSU’s chances, either, giving Kentucky an 80.6% chance to win with a projected margin of 9.5 points.
The Tigers rank No. 106 in adjusted offense, per the KenPom metrics, and they will need to find some way to compete with the scorers on the other side like TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler, let alone dominant big man Oscar Tshiebwe, who is bound to be a matchup nightmare.
Wheeler was held off the scoreboard in the first matchup while Washington and Tshibwe managed five and eight points, respectively. It will likely take a similar performance to steal a win in Lexington, and I’m not sure the Tigers have that in them on the road, where they are 3-6 on the season.
Prediction: Kentucky 71, LSU 62