Mississippi State vs Kentucky Odds, Pick
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images. Pictured: Antonio Reeves (Kentucky)
Mississippi State vs Kentucky Odds, Pick
| Mississippi State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -108 | 154.5 -115o / -105u | +240 |
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -112 | 154.5 -115o / -105u | -298 |
The Kentucky Wildcats nearly pulled off an improbable win on Saturday, falling to Texas A&M at College Station.
On Wednesday, the Cats will host the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are coming off a tough home loss to Alabama.
Chris Jans might be "The Dentist" (It Spreads), but going on the road to Kentucky is equivalent to performing a root canal.
Despite the terrific start to the season, the Bulldogs may struggle in this contest.
There are two glaring weaknesses for the Bulldogs that are cause for concern.
First of all, they're a turnover-prone basketball team. The Cats aren't the most aggressive defensive team, but they'll be able to force ample turnovers throughout the game. The Bulldogs are in the bottom 100 in giveaways allowed per game.
Secondly, the Bulldogs are struggling from the 3-point line; 32% as a team is not good enough against a solid Cats perimeter defense.
Besides those two major concerns, this is a terrible spot for them. After a tough loss, the Cats are determined to bounce back at home.
The Bulldogs are ninth in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and opponent 3PT%. Although they're a great defensive team, I have no faith they can keep up with the Cats' offense.
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Without sugar-coating it, the Cats are in a position to bounce back in a big way at home. They have everything working in their favor to make a statement at Rupp Arena.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, the Cats' offense has to show up. The Bulldogs are an excellent defensive team that will make you earn every bucket.
The Cats struggle to earn second chances on offense, as this is their only weakness on that side of the ball. They will have their struggles again since the Bulldogs are an excellent defensive rebounding team.
The offensive prowess of the Cats is relentless, though. They enter this game eighth in Offensive Efficiency and 3PT%.
Antonio Reeves and Rob Dillingham are both shooting 42% from deep. They'll have their hands full at times, but both are elite enough shooters to crack the Bulldogs' perimeter defense.
Another reason the Cats will win this game is because they protect the basketball at an elite level. They're third in the country in fewest turnovers per game.
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Mississippi State vs. Kentucky
Betting Pick & Prediction
Jans' Bulldogs should put up a solid defensive effort, but the Cats' offense is too much to overcome. The Cats have the advantage on the interior and the perimeter.
Coming off of a loss, I expect John Calipari to motivate his team to a victory.
Also, expect big man Aaron Bradshaw to bounce back after he was in foul trouble for the majority of the game on Saturday.
Between the situational spot and the offensive discrepancy, there's no other way to play this game than taking the Wildcats.
Big Blue Nation should rise up to the occasion at Rupp Arena on Wednesday.
Pick: Kentucky -5 or Better
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