The South Carolina Gamecocks (7-8, 0-2 SEC) take on the Kentucky Wildcats (10-5, 1-2) Tuesday. Tip at Rupp Arena is at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the South Carolina vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Kentucky is in the midst of a terrible season. The preseason SEC favorite is not ranked and is struggling to stay afloat under coach John Calipari. The Wildcats were dismantled 78-52 in their last game at Alabama Saturday, which came on the heels of a 74-71 victory over LSU as 10.5-point favorites last Tuesday.
South Carolina has also had a less-than-stellar year and was toppled 85-42 by current-No. 5 Tennessee last time out on Saturday. The Gamecocks rank 340th in the nation with 64.3 points per game while the Wildcats rank 77th with 76.9 points.
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South Carolina at Kentucky odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): South Carolina +900 (bet $100 to win $900) | Kentucky -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): South Carolina +19.5 (-105) | Kentucky -19.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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South Carolina at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 73, South Carolina 62
Moneyline
PASS.
Kentucky (-3000) is far too steep to wager on and won’t even help in a parlay.
Against the spread
BET SOUTH CAROLINA +19.5 (-105).
Kentucky has struggled to date and should not be favored by 20 points over any conference opponent currently. The Wildcats will want to win this game after being dismantled last time out — and they will — but not by 20 points.
Over/Under
BET OVER 131.5 (-110).
While both teams have flaws, the biggest issue for both has been on the defensive side of the ball. That likely results in a few more points scored than usual. This game will be closer than the line suggests and points will be scored down the stretch to finally give Kentucky a comfortable victory.
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