The No. 14 UCLA Bruins (9-2) take on the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (7-2) Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is at 5:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UCLA vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Kentucky comes into this game after a long layoff following a 69-59 victory over the Yale Bulldogs last Saturday. They picked up a tough 73-69 win in London against the Michigan Wolverines on Dec. 4. The Wildcats feature defending player of the year F Oscar Tshiebwe, who, despite the Wildcats already having 2 losses on the young season, is still having a solid season with 16.1 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.
UCLA enters off an 87-60 demolition of Maryland Wednesday. The Bruins jumped out an early lead that eventually ballooned into a 38-point cushion at one point. This will be an entirely different game as the Bruins take on the Wildcats and coach John Calipari and will be a barometer test for both schools in finding out what needs to be fixed before March comes around.
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UCLA vs. Kentucky odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UCLA -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Kentucky +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): UCLA -1.5 (-115) | Kentucky +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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UCLA vs. Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 75, UCLA 71
Moneyline
BET KENTUCKY (+105).
Both teams have dreams of a national championship run in 2022-23 — and both are good enough. UCLA is coming off a dominating win against Maryland while Kentucky, after struggling to a 10-point win over Yale, will come in ready for this top-15 matchup.
John Calipari will have the Wildcats ready, and Tshiebwe will be the best player on the floor. His presence will make the difference in this close game.
Against the spread
PASS.
I would rather make a play on the moneyline with the feeling that Kentucky will win — especially with the spread only being 1.5 points.
Over/Under
BET OVER 142.5 (-110).
This game is not going to get out of hand, but it should remain tight throughout and this is specifically why I like the Over. Both teams are likely to be fouling down the stretch, although Kentucky has struggled at the free-throw line. However, if it can make enough, this game easily goes Over. I am willing to wager the Wildcats can make some free throws. OVER 142.5 (-110) is my favorite play.
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