Wildcats vs. Cardinals Prediction
An in-state rivalry will have its latest chapter today when the 16th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats play at the Louisville Cardinals. Can Kentucky solve the hosts as the small road favorite?
Game Snapshot
613 Kentucky Wildcats at 614 Louisville Cardinals
Saturday, December 29, 2018
ESPN2
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Wildcats are a 2.5 points favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 146 points. As of Saturday morning, 74 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Kentucky. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Wildcats solve Tar Heels
Kentucky picked up a key win last Saturday with an 80-72 victory over North Carolina in Chicago. Keldon Johnson paced the Wildcats (9-2) with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting including 4-of-7 from 3-point distance. He also contributed three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Reid Travis tallied 20 points, seven boards, three assists and two blocks. Tyler Herro had 15 points, five assists and four rebounds. P.J. Washington added 11 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Kentucky shot 28-of-65 from the field, 9-of-26 on 3-point tries and 15-of-22 on free throw attempts.
Cardinals ease past Robert Morris
Louisville shook off a rough first half eight days ago to post a 73-59 home victory over Robert Morris. Jordan Nwora paced the Cardinals with 19 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 7-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Steven Enoch accounted for 16 points, five boards and three blocked shots. Dwayne Sutton added 14 points and seven rebounds. Louisville outscored the Colonials 44-27 in the second half after a rough first half. The Cardinals shot 23-of-47 from the floor including 5-of-15 from 3-point range, while going 22-of-27 from the free throw line.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Kentucky
The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Kentucky is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games versus the ACC.
Louisville
The Cardinals are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five Saturday games. Louisville is 5-2-1 ATS in its last eight games overall.
Prediction:
This is a rivalry game and oddsmakers clearly think it will go down to the wire. I’m thinking we could be looking at a final possession type of game, which would bode well for Louisville backers. The Cardinals (9-3) will be up for this game and all three of their losses have been to quality opponents this season, two of which were decided by overtime and one point. They also have an OT home win over Michigan State. Don’t underestimate Louisville here.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: LOUISVILLE CARDINALS +2.5