Tigers vs. Wildcats Prediction
The 17th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats open Southeastern Conference play at home this afternoon as they welcome in the Missouri Tigers. Is a win by enough to cover the spread in the cards for Kentucky?
Game Snapshot
631 Missouri Tigers at 632 Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday, January 4, 2019
Rupp Arena at 2PM ET
TV: SECN
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According to oddsmakers, the Wildcats are an 8-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 126 points. As of Saturday morning, 62 percent of public bets are being placed on host Kentucky. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Tigers rout Cougars
Missouri steamrolled Chicago State by a count of 91-33 at home Monday night to improve to 8-4 overall and 6-1 at home. The Tigers led 45-14 at halftime on their way to the win. Torrence Watson paced Missouri with 24 points off the bench on 8-of-14 shooting including 8-of-13 from 3-point distance. He also grabbed two rebounds. Dru Smith accounted for 14 points, seven assists, six boards and four steals. Mark Smith added 13 points, four caroms, three steals and two dimes.
Wildcats carve out OT win
Kentucky earned a 78-70 home victory Saturday afternoon over rival Louisville to move to 9-3 overall and 8-1 at home. The Wildcats were outscored 37-29 in the second half, but rebounded to outscore the visitors 17-9 in the extra session. Tyrese Maxey led Kentucky with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting including 4-of-5 from 3-point range plus 5-of-6 at the charity stripe. He also pulled down seven rebounds. Nick Richards added 13 points and 10 boards.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Missouri
The Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall. Missouri is 4-1 ATS in its last five Saturday games.
Kentucky
The Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The home team is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Prediction:
Kentucky might be hitting its stride right now as it suffered a loss at a very good Ohio State squad in a neutral setting, but bounced back to get the best of Louisville. Playing such a tough schedule lately has to have UK ready for conference play and in steps a Missouri squad it beat by eight on the road last season. Look for the Wildcats to enjoy one of their better wins of the season over a Tigers team that struggles a little too much offensively to be taken seriously right now.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: KENTUCKY WILDCATS -8