Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats, 1/26/19 Predictions & Odds

Kansas vs. Kentucky Prediction

The featured game of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge takes place at 6PM ET when No. 8 Kentucky hosts No. 9 Kansas. Which team will pick up the marquee victory?

Game Snapshot & Odds

601 Auburn vs. 602 South Carolina

Saturday, January 26, 2019

6PM ET – Rupp Arena

TV: ESPN

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Kentucky is favored at home tonight, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -6.5 points against Kansas. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 144 points. The public betting currently has 74 percent going on Kentucky at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Jayhawks struggling to cover

Kansas is coming off an 80-76 win at home over Iowa State this week, but the Jayhawks have failed to cover the spread in three straight. Kansas is 16-3 overall, 1-3 on the road, 8-11 against the spread and 11-7-1 with the over.

The Jayhawks are putting up 78.1 points per game on offense this season while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. Defensively, Kansas is giving up 70.2 points per game while holding opponents to 40.5 percent from the field. Dedric Lawson leads the team with 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game while Lagerald Vick is adding 15.0 points per contest.

Wildcats heating up

Kentucky is coming off a 76-55 win over Mississippi State at home this week. The Wildcats have won five straight and covered the spread in their last three. Kentucky is now 15-3 overall, 11-0 at home, 9-9 against the spread and 10-8 with the under.

The Wildcats are putting up 80 points per game this season while shooting 48.6 percent from the field. Defensively, the UK is giving up 67.5 points per game while holding opponents to 41.5 percent shooting. Keldon Johnson is leading the team with 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while Tyler Herro is adding 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest.

College Basketball Betting Trends

Kansas

Kansas is 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 Saturday games and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games.

Kentucky

The Wildcats are 5-1 against the spread in their last six non-conference games and 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games against a team with a winning record.

Prediction:

Kansas has actually wont here straight meetings with Kentucky, but I think the run stops today. The Wildcats have been improving since their loss to Alabama and play in a newly-improved SEC conference slate. Kentucky allows some of the fewest rebounds in the nation and the ability to dominate the glass will go a long way today. Kansas won’t be able to overwhelm the Wildcats anywhere on the floor and their questionable defense will be a problem against this Kentucky team at Rupp. I like the Wildcats to cover again and roll past Kansas tonight.

College Basketball Prediction: Kentucky -6.5