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St. Peter's vs. Kentucky Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round

By Reed Wallach

Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard TyTy Washington Jr. (3) reacts to making a
Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard TyTy Washington Jr. (3) reacts to making a / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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Kentucky bolsters one of the most elite rosters in the country with National Player of the Year candidate Oscar Tshiebwe, and now get set for a National Championship push as the No. 2 seed in the East region.

Kentucky will face Saint Peter's in the first round of March Madness as John Calipari has his team looking to rebound after losing in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook as well as a statistical breakdown and best bet for the NCAA Tournament first round matchup:

Saint Peter's vs. Kentucky Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Saint Peter's +17.5 (-110)
  • Kentucky -17.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Saint Peter's +1800
  • Kentucky -5000

Total: 132.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Saint Peter's vs. Kentucky Analysis

Saint Peter's

  • Regular Season Record: 19-11
  • ATS Record: 11-18
  • Over/Under Record: 20-9
  • SoS: 167
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 98.9
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 94.5
  • eFG%: 47.8%
  • FT%: 68.5%
  • 3PT%: 34.8%
  • Last Year's Tournament Result: N/A
  • Odds to Win National Championship: N/A

Kentucky

  • Regular Season Record: 26-7
  • ATS Record: 15-18
  • Over/Under Record:16-17
  • SoS: 3rd
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 120.1
  • Defensive Efficiency: 93.6
  • eFG%:53.3%
  • FT%: 73.0%
  • 3PT%: 34.9%
  • Last Year’s Tournament Result: N/A
  • Odds to win National Championship: +800

Saint Peter's vs. Kentucky Prediction and Pick

Saint Peter's is a rare 15 seed, one of the best defenses in the country, 34th in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency metric. The team is top 10 in effective field goal defense and generate turnovers at a top 50 clip.

The team is going to look to slow down the high powered Kentucky offense that is top five in adjusted offensive efficiency and plays at a top 100 pace. I believe the Peacocks can keep the points at a minimum and limit the amount of possessions for the Wildcats with their excellent ball pressure.

However, the team is going to struggle to score all over. The team is bottom 100 in adjusted offensive efficiency and is terrible at protecting the ball (319th in turnover rate). The Peacocks draw a ton of contact and generates more than 21% of their points from the free throw line, but shoot 68% from the charity stripe. Coach Cal's team is a disciplined defense that should suffocate their lesser opponent, especially considering they limit 3-point attempts, even if the score is a bit of an eye sore.

I like the under in this one a little bit lower given Saint Peter's offensive concerns.

PICK: Under 132.5, play to 131

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!

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