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The Wright State Raiders visit the Kentucky Wildcats in a season-opening Monday contest in Lexington. The opening tip at Rupp Arena will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Wright State vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Wright State went 18-14 last season. The Raiders played an uptempo style, averaging 86.5 points per game (fourth in NCAA-I) and allowing 81.2 PPG (356th).
Kentucky, which is No. 23 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, is coming off a 23-10 season. UK also played a fast-paced brand of ball, but its defense suffered. The Wildcats allowed 79.7 PPG, the program’s most in a single season since 1989-90 (87.9 PPG).
Both programs take to the floor with new coaches at the helm. Former assistant Clint Sargent takes over at WSU; former BYU coach Mark Pope takes the reigns at UK.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Wright State at Kentucky odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Wright State +1150 (bet $100 to win $1,150) | Kentucky -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wright State +19.5 (-115) | Kentucky -19.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 160.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Wright State at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 96, Wright State 75
Moneyline
No interest in these prices: PASS.
Against the spread
Pope’s BYU team went 8-0 ATS over its first 8 games last season.
In UK’s last 4 seasons when playing its first game against an overmatched foe, the Wildcats have gone 4-0 ATS. Look for Kentucky to act accordingly in getting the Pope era off to a successful start on home hardwood. The transfers Pope has brought in add mostly outside shooting and some solid rim denial. The main defensive addition is Oklahoma State C Brandon Garrison, who had 1.5 blocked shots per game as a freshman last season.
WSU coughed up a 37.1% 3-point percentage a year ago. In what could be a loose, high-scoring affair, the Raiders figure to be vulnerable from distance and in near-proximity looks.
BACK THE WILDCATS -19.5 (-105).
Over/Under
In UK’s last 14 games last season, the Over went 9-5. In Kentucky home games, the Over has gone 17-3 in its last 20.
Wright State’s road offense and defense numbers last season would certainly back up an Over lean here. In early-season 2023-24 games against better talent, the Raiders lost 105-77 at Colorado State (Nov. 10) and 89-80 at Indiana (Nov. 16).
The Wildcats scored 94.4 PPG over their first 7 last season. Pope’s BYU squad got to 90-plus in 3 of its first 4 outings last November.
Expecting tons of tempo and plenty of 3s, the OVER 160.5 (-110) is the play for this one.
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