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Kentucky vs. LSU Prediction and Odds: Keep Riding the Wildcats

By Reed Wallach

Dec 31, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) celebrates
Dec 31, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) celebrates / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
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The Kentucky Wildcats are winners of four straight and starting to look like the Final Four contenders many expected them to be before the 2021-2022 season.

LSU , meanwhile, has turned into a defensive powerhouse under coach Will Wade, posting the best defensive efficiency mark in the country, per KenPom. The Tigers were handed their first loss on the road last week against Auburn, but will look to make a statement at home against a high profile team.

Here are the odds for this SEC showdown featuring Kentucky and LSU from WynnBET Spotsbook.

Kentucky vs. LSU Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Kentucky: -3.5 (-110)
  • LSU: +3.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Kentucky: +140
  • LSU: -165

Total: 142 (Over -110/Under -110)

Kentucky vs. LSU Prediction and Pick

The Bayou Bengals have taken money this morning, moving through the opener of -1 to -3.5, which is too far for my liking in a game that I make essentially a coin flip.

While LSU boasts the No. 1 defense in the country, they are facing a different beast in Kentucky. For starters, the Tigers turn their opponents over at a top five clip and limit them to shoot 26% from the 3-point line, 42% on two's and 64% from the line. LSU is in for some regression and I'm going to bank on this Kentucky team that is the best offensive rebounding unit in the country.

The Wildcats are grabbing more than 43% of available second chances, which also may be due for some pullback, but as long as Oscar Tshiebwe plays, UK is going to get extra looks at the hoop. The big man is making a compelling case for National Player of the Year with his gaudy 23.5% offensive rebounding rate.

This game is going to be played fast (both teams top 60 in offensive possession length), but I'm going to count on the physicality of the visitors to hang around in this matchup. Neither team is overly reliant on the three, but I trust Kentucky's ball handlers to protect the rock and for Kentucky to keep this within two possessions with extra opportunities.

PICK: Kentucky +3.5, play to +2.5

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