In what may be the game of the day on this loaded college basketball slate, Kentucky travels to Allen Fieldhouse to face Kansas.
The story around this one was the status of Kentucky guard Tyty Washington, who sprained his ankle last week in the team's loss at Auburn. It appears that Washington is going to give it a go in this marquee matchup.
BREAKING: TyTy Washington will attempt to play in Kentucky’s game at Kansas, a source close to the freshman guard tells KSR
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) January 29, 2022
With that in mind, how should we bet this matchup of two Final Four contenders. Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.
Kentucky vs. Kansas Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Kentucky: +5 (-110)
- Kansas: -5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Kentucky: +175
- Kansas: -220
Total: 152.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Kentucky vs. Kansas Prediction and Pick
Winning at Allen Fieldhouse is one of the toughest tasks in college basketball, but I do believe Kentucky has the goods to keep up with the Jayhawks.
The Wildcats have an advantage on the glass with big man Oscar Tshiebwe anchoring the best offensive rebounding team in the country. Overall, this Kentucky team loves to pound the ball inside and Kansas has been susceptible on the interior, posting a middling two-point defense this season, per KenPom.
Of course, Kansas can score with anyone, led by Ocahi Agbaji, but Kentucky 's ability to limit second chances and run teams off the perimeter will be key. The Wildcats are allowing a bottom 100 three-point rate and shoot only 30% from deep.
While I think Kentucky can keep this to one possession, I see betting value in the other. I believe the pace will be slower than usual with a methodical pace and Kentucky cleaning the glass. I project htis total at 148.5 so I'm betting this to 151. You can read more about this in my best bets column for Saturday's college basketball slate.
PICK: Under 152.5
All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 27-36-3 for -11.5 units.