The Kentucky Wildcats are the only team with a perfect record (24-0, 11-0) at this late stage of the season, and judging by the NCAA Basketball betting odds, we can expect them to do all they can to go unbeaten all year. It has become the goal of every team that meets them to bring that dream to an end, and their opponents this Saturday, the South Carolina Gamecocks, have a history of making that happen.
An Inside Look at the Wildcats vs Gamecocks College Hoops Odds Game Preview and Analysis
Date/Time: Saturday, February 14th, 2:00 PM
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Spread: Kentucky Wildcats -10
Why Bet on the Kentucky Wildcats
Back in 2010, Kentucky was rolling along at 19-0 back then when they had to make a road trip to Columbia. The Gamecocks ended up springing the upset, winning 68-62. Fans will talk about that game as having no bearing on what will take place this weekend, but you can bet your life that both coaches will be talking to their players about what happened back then. There is also last season’s game in Columbia to discuss, with the Gamecocks also winning that one, in a match where John Calipari, who is 2-2 in SC as coach of Kentucky, was sent to the locker room before the game came to a close. He and his team are sure to be pleased that this game will be taking place before the home fans at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats will likely have learned something from their last outing, where LSU pushed them hard to the end, before finally falling 71-69. That should be a clear indication that it may not be smooth sailing the rest of the way for Kentucky. They will be looking to sophomore guard Aaron Harrison to continue scoring the way he has been all year, and the Gamecocks are going to have to find a way to prevent the outside shooting of Devin Booker, who has been very efficient from 3-point range.
Why Bet on the South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina (12-11, 3-8) had a pretty decent start to the season, going 9-3 before entering conference play. The Gamecocks have lost 6 of their last 8 in SEC play, which includes a loss at home to Kentucky by a score of 58-43. Duane Notice and Sindarius Thornwell are both averaging over 11 PPG on the season, but you have to believe that they will need to go well above that average in order to be competitive here.
Key Betting Trends:
- Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Kentucky’s last 19 games
- Kentucky is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Kentucky is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kentucky’s last 5 games on the road
- Kentucky is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing South Carolina
- Kentucky is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing South Carolina
- South Carolina is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- South Carolina is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
- South Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 5 games
- South Carolina is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
- South Carolina is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Kentucky
- South Carolina is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kentucky
My Expert Prediction and Pick
Kentucky are very solid on the defensive side of the ball, and have more than enough to handle whatever South Carolina throws at them. Just like the last meeting, defense will once again be the difference, and I expect another double digit win from the Wildcats.
