The Kentucky Wildcats (18-9, 9-5 SEC) battle the Florida Gators (14-13, 7-7) at Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kentucky vs. Florida odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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The Wildcats beat the Gators 72-67 at home on Feb. 4, covering as 4.5-point favorites. The Over 132.5 hit.
The Wildcats enter off a 66-54 victory over Tennessee Saturday, covering as 1.5-point home underdogs. They are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 6 games and 12-14-1 ATS on the season.
The Gators are coming off an 84-65 loss at Arkansas Saturday, failing to cover as 8.5-point road underdogs. They are 1-4 ATS over their last 5 games and 13-14 ATS on the season.
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Kentucky at Florida odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kentucky -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Florida +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kentucky -2.5 (-110) | Florida +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Kentucky at Florida picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 70, Florida 65
Moneyline
AVOID.
Kentucky (-140) may look enticing as a moneyline play, especially coming off a win against Tennessee. However, Florida is 9-4 straight up at home.
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Against the spread
LEAN KENTUCKY -2.5 (-110).
The Wildcats have been rolling as of late, and the Gators haven’t been great ATS at home.
Florida is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games, 4-6 ATS as an underdog this season and just 7-6 ATS at home. The Cats are 4-1 ATS over their last 5 road games as well.
Kentucky also matches up well and the size to limit F Colin Castleton, the Gators’ leading scorer. Back KENTUCKY -2.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 140.5 (-115).
The Wildcats have been better offensively as of late, and are 6-1 O/U in their last 7 outings. At this total though, they haven’t been great this season. They are 5-6 O/U with a total that closed at 140.5 or more points. The Gators, on the other hand, are 7-7 O/U in conference play and 4-6 O/U as an underdog.
Given that the size that both teams possess should counter the top scorers (Castleton for Florida and C Oscar Tshiebwe for Kentucky), back UNDER 140.5 (-115).
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