Florida vs. Kentucky Prediction
Can No. 6 Kentucky take care of business at home when it hosts Florida at 2PM ET in SEC play?
631 Florida vs. 632 Kentucky
Saturday, March 9, 2019
2PM ET – Rupp Arena
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Kentucky is the clear favorite today, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -10 points against Florida. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 128.5 points. The public betting currently has 69 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.
Gators struggling to stay above .500
It’s been a down year for Florida this season. The Gators are coming off back-to-back losses at home to Georgia and LSU, and they have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games. Florida is 17-13 on the season, 9-8 in the SEC, 5-5 on the road, 12-18 against the spread and 20-10 with the under.
Like usual, Florida is one of the stronger defensive teams in the country, but one of the worst offensive teams. Florida gives up just 63.7 points per game while holding opponents to 42.2 percent shooting. Offensively, Florida is putting up 68.7 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent as a team. KeVaughn Allen is leading the team with 12.2 points per game while Noah Locke is adding 10.3 points per contest.
Wildcats bounce back
After suffering a bad loss at Tennessee last weekend, Kentucky bounced back with an 80-76 win at Ole Miss during the week. However, the Wildcats have failed to cover in their last three. Kentucky is now 25-5 on the season, 14-3 in the SEC, 16-1 at home, 16-14 against the spread and 19-11 with the under.
Kentucky is averaging 77.2 points per game on offense this season while shooting 47.8 percent as a team. Defensively, the Wildcats are giving up only 65.5 points per game while holding opponents to just 40.3 percent shooting. PJ Washington is leading the team with 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while Tyler Herro is adding 14.1 points per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Florida
The Gators are just 3-9 against the spread in their last 12 SEC games and 0-5 ATS in their last five following a loss.
Kentucky
The Wildcats are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven home games, but just 1-4 ATS in their last five SEC games.
Prediction:
Kentucky won by 11 at Florida a month ago and the Wildcats actually have a pretty solid defense, even in comparison to the Gators. The big difference here is offensive ability, which Kentucky has far more than Florida. The Gators just can’t put up points and their slow tempo only works when they can control things. Kentucky won’t allow the Gators to control tempo and the Wildcats speed and athleticism should lead them to a cover.
College Basketball Prediction: Kentucky -10