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The Vanderbilt Commodores (8-21, 3-13 SEC) take on the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (21-8, 11-5) Wednesday at Rupp Arena. Tip is set for 9 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Vandy has lost 4 of 5 after a 75-61 home defeat to the LSU Tigers Saturday. Before that setback, it upset the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road as a 10-point dog. G Ezra Manjon dropped 22 on Arkansas and 17 against LSU.
The Wildcats, No. 13 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, have won 3 in a row and 5 of 6. Their latest was a 111-102 victory over Arkansas, though they failed to cover the lofty 13-point spread. G Antonio Reeves has been money in the bank with 20+ in 5 straight games. UK clubbed the Commodores, 109-77, Feb. 6 in Nashville.
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Vanderbilt at Kentucky odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Vanderbilt +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100) | Kentucky -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vanderbilt +17.5 (-110) | Kentucky -17.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 160.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Vanderbilt at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 101, Vanderbilt 68
Moneyline
Not much to see here as far as the ML goes.
As we touched on already, Reeves has dropped 20+ in 5 straight — actually 21+ in 5 straight. So, the books have cleverly anointed his number at 20.5. He had 24 against Vandy in the 1st meeting. and while this number doesn’t leave much wiggle room, I’m willing to ride it 1 more time.
Take ANTONIO REEVES OVER 20.5 POINTS (-130).
Against the spread
I really don’t like spreads like this. Because the risk vastly outweighs the reward. You’re betting on college kids that are more talented than the other team to drop the hammer on them and not let up. Should UK win by 18 or more? Yes. Is it possible that it isn’t as interested in doing that, as it is looking ahead to a big matchup in Knoxville against the Tennessee Vols? Yes.
Take UK ML + ANTONIO REEVES 20 POINTS (-156). There’s less of a payout, but it’s worth the safety net.
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Over/Under
The Over has cashed in 2 straight meetings, but those totals were 9 and 17 points fewer than this one. Vandy has touched 70 points 3 times in the last 10. So we’re really depending on Kentucky to drop 95 to cash this Over. UK is averaging 106.3 PPG over its last 3 games. It posted 109 against Vandy in Nashville. There isn’t much margin for error, but I’ll LEAN OVER 160.5 (-115).
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