College Hoops Prediction: Will Mississippi State Upset Kentucky? 1/23/18
Will Mississippi State pull off the upset tonight against Kentucky? Or will the underdog Bulldogs at least cover the spread? Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Odds: Mississippi State at Kentucky, 9:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday
According to oddsmakers, the Wildcats are 7.5-point home favorites to beat the Bulldogs. Mississippi State opened as 8-point road underdog. The total, meanwhile, sits at 138 after hitting the board at 140.5.
The Bulldogs enter play with a 14-5 record but are winless on the road at 0-4. The Wildcats are 14-5 and have been outstanding at home, going 11-1 on the year. From a betting standpoint, Mississippi State is just 4-10 against the spread and 0-4 ATS on the road. UK is just 8-11 at the betting window and 4-8 ATS at home.
Bettors like Kentucky tonight. As of Tuesday afternoon, 64% of the betting tickets and 53% of the money wagered online is on the Wildcats. As for the total, 57% of the betting tickets are on the over.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Injury Report
Xavian Stapleton (disciplinary) is probable for the Bulldogs but center Schnider Herard (personal) is out for the year.
Kentucky Wildcats Injury Report
Tai Wynyard (back) is questionable but Jemarl Baker (knee) remains out.
Our Prediction
The Bulldogs are 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four games versus the Wildcats. They have covered the spread in five of their last seven games in Kentucky, too. The underdog is also 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four games.
Meanwhile, Kentucky has been a horrible bet of late. The Wildcats are jus 1-4 against the spread in their last five games and 1-4 against the number in their last five conference games. They’re also just 1-6 at the betting window in their last seven games coming off a loss. They are 0-4 against the number in their last four games when playing an opponent with a winning record.
Thus, it doesn’t make much sense to lay a significant amount of points on a Kentucky team struggling to cover the spread and facing a quality opponent tonight.
Tuesday College Basketball Prediction: Mississippi State Bulldogs +7.5
