Kentucky vs. Santa Clara Odds
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | -142 |
| Santa Clara Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 161.5 -110o / -110u | +118 |
The 2026 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Kentucky will take on Santa Clara in Round 1 of the Midwest region. Here's everything you need to know about Kentucky vs. Santa Clara odds, spread and more.
Kentucky opened as a 3.5-point favorite over Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The total is set at over/under 161.5 points scored by both teams combined.
Find out how No. 7-seeded Kentucky and No. 10-seeded Santa Clara match up ahead of their opening round matchup.
Kentucky vs. Santa Clara Analysis
For a Kentucky team that has seen a bunch of ups and downs with a fluctuating roster this season, Santa Clara makes for an interesting test.
The Broncos play the fastest tempo in the West Coast conference and spread the floor, looking for jumpers. Eight different players shoot 2.5 or more 3-point attempts per game for Herb Sendek’s Broncos, challenging every defender in closeouts.
For Kentucky, that could be a problem.
The Cats rank 10th in the SEC in 3-point shooting and 3-point rate allowed on the defensive end of the floor. Teams were able to find jumpers against a Kentucky team that plays traditional bigs that prefer to protect the rim.
Three Santa Clara bigs readily shoot the 3, with Allen Graves and Jake Ensminger hitting over 40% of their looks. That will pull Kentucky’s rim protectors like Malachi Moreno out to the perimeter and keep them chasing instead of waiting to stop Bronco dribble-drives.
If Santa Clara can make shots, a Broncos win is well within reach.
— Shane McNichol
For more coverage of the 2026 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.
