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The 14th-seeded Oakland Golden Grizzlies (23-11) and 3rd-seeded Kentucky Wildcats (23-9) meet in the South Region for an NCAA Tournament first-round game Thursday. Tip-off from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is set for 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Oakland vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Oakland is on a 4 game winning streak after beating Milwaukee 83-76 to win the Horizon League Tournament Tuesday while covering as a 4-point favorite. F Trey Townsend and F Chris Conway each had a double-double. Townsend had a game-high 38 points with 11 rebounds, and Conway added 11 points and 10 boards. The Golden Grizzlies shot 43.5% from the field in the win.
Kentucky fell 97-87 in the quarterfinal of the SEC Tournament Friday while failing to cover as a 5.5-point favorite. G Rob Dillingham scored a team-high 27 points while only 3 Kentucky players scored in double figures. The Wildcats shot 50% from the field in the loss.
Kentucky is No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Oakland vs. Kentucky odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Oakland +725 (bet $100 to win $725) | Kentucky -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Oakland +13.5 (-110) | Kentucky -13.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 161.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Oakland vs. Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 87, Oakland 79
Moneyline
PASS.
There is no value on Kentucky (-1200), which is 7-3 in its last 10 and 5-1 in its last 6, to knock off Oakland.
Against the spread
BET OAKLAND +13.5 (-110).
While Kentucky is the superior team in size, strength, and overall talent, the Golden Grizzlies are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games. They have covered and won their last 2 games as underdogs.
The Wildcats have failed to cover the spread in 3 of their last 4, including each of their last 3 as favorites. They have also failed to cover the spread in each of their last 3 games as double-digit favorites.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 161.5 (-115).
Oakland has hit the Over in back-to-back games and 4 of its last 5. It has scored at least 74 points in each of its last 5 games and 71 or more in 9 of its last 10.
Kentucky has an Over record of 23-9 this season and has hit the Over in 5 of its last 6 games. It has scored 74 or more points in 9 of its last 10 games and 85 or more in 6 straight.
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