The Yale Bulldogs (8-2) and the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (6-2) meet Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Yale vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Yale takes on its first Top-25 team this season. The Bulldogs were tripped up 71-61 as 6-point underdogs at Butler Tuesday in their last game. The O/U 132 pushed.
The Wildcats picked up a 73-69 win over Michigan Sunday on a neutral floor in London in their last game. Kentucky, which didn’t cover as an 8-point favorite, is on a 3-game win streak since a neutral-site loss to then No. 2 Gonzaga Nov. 20. However, UK is 2-4 against the spread (ATS) in the past 6 games, while cashing the Under in each of the previous 3 contests.
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Yale 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 6:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Yale +725 (bet $100 to win $725) | Kentucky -1500 (bet $1,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Yale +15.5 (-105) | Kentucky -15.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 138.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Yale at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 79, Yale 58
Moneyline
Kentucky (-1500) will win, but betting 15 times the potential profit is not smart sports gambling.
Against the spread
KENTUCKY -15.5 (-105) is the play at home against this Ivy League opponent. While Yale sits atop its conference, it won’t be able to upset the ranked Wildcats.
The Elis are 6-15 ATS in the past 21 games against teams with a winning record. The Wildcats have managed a 7-3-1 ATS mark in the past 11 games following a non-cover.
Over/Under
UNDER 138.5 (-110) is the BEST PLAY on the board in this matchup.
The Under is 15-5-1 in the past 21 games for Yale dating back to last season, while going 15-5-2 in the past 22 road games.
The Under has hit at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 games at home for Kentucky, too.
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