The No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (11-2, 1-0 SEC) and No. 21 LSU Tigers (12-1, 0-1) come together in a ranked showdown in Baton Rouge, La. The Southeastern Conference test at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is slated to get underway at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kentucky vs. LSU odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Kentucky has won four straight games while averaging 89.5 points per game since falling to Notre Dame Dec. 11. The Wildcats are shooting a robust 49.7% from the floor this season; their 83.9 points and 14.7 offensive rebounds per game rank first in the SEC. UK has five players averaging double-digit points per game.
The Tigers are coming off a 70-55 misfire at Auburn Wednesday. Sporting the SEC’s leading defense with 55.3 points allowed per game, LSU had only allowed more than 60 points in two games before falling to AU. The Tigers shot a season-low 28.6% from the field in the loss.
Kentucky at LSU odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Kentucky +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | LSU -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kentucky +2.5 (-120) | LSU -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Kentucky at LSU odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
LSU 71, Kentucky 66
Money line
Both teams are quite young, so the home-court advantage looms large in this one. LSU sports a strong advantage on its home hardwood from an analytics standpoint.
Not only will Kentucky be in a true road game for the first time since Dec. 11, but the Wildcats will be tested by an elite defense and by a tempo that may not suit them. UK hasn’t been up against top-quartile defensive teams of late, and earlier straight-up and ATS losses have been against fast-pace opponents. LSU’s pace will be up among the fastest the Wildcats have seen so far.
BACK THE TIGERS (-140).
Against the spread
The Wildcats are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine road games.
Look for an LSU bounce after a rough shooting performance at Auburn. The Tigers’ ability to defend the perimeter and the hoop and everywhere between gives them the edge on their home floor.
TAKE LSU -2.5 (-105).
Over/Under
PASS. Bettors have this one surrounded. There’s a little pressure on the Over and a slight lean on the Under, so if the figure should get to 141 a play on the low side would bring some value.
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