The Kentucky Wildcats will tip-off vs the Florida Gators in a battle for supremacy of the SEC. The Wildcats are ranked 19th in the NCAA rankings but dropped their most recent game to South Carolina on the road. John Calipari’s squad is 12-1 SU at home this season and opened as slight faves vs the Gators, who haven’t beaten Kentucky at Rupp Arena since 2014.
The Wildcats are used to being the favorite in SEC matchups with the bounty of five-star recruits they get each year. When Kentucky is favored, its 14-2 SU but only 7-9 ATS in 16 games this season. What is different this season for Kentucky compared to most seasons is they don’t have the consensus No.1 recruit like Anthony Davis or Karl-Anthony Towns and can be bullied around by more seasoned teams. However, Kentucky backers will be happy to know that the Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in its last six games vs the Gators.
Florida, on the other hand, is currently leading the SEC with a 5-1 SU record in conference play despite their 13-5 SU overall record. But they haven’t matched up well to superior competition as the Gators only have two wins vs ranked teams this season (Gonzaga and Texas A&M). Where Florida is most successful is on the perimeter as they lead the SEC in three-pointers made per game and three-point percentage. The Gators also had four games this season where they notched 15 or more made shots from deep.
The total opened at 149 and while that may seem like a high number for a college basketball game, these two teams are juggernauts on the offensive side of the ball. Both of these teams’ average over 75 points per game and the OVER has hit in five of Florida's last six road games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Kentucky Wildcats betting line opened as -2.5-point favorites in this college basketball tilt over at Sportsbook but the number may be on the move. Watch for the Sportsbook over/under total as well at Sportsbook.
Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
This college basketball season, the Kentucky Wildcats are 14-4 overall and 8-10 ATS, while the Florida Gators are 13-5 and 9-9 ATS. As for the betting totals, Kentucky boasts a 9-9 on the OU, and Florida is 9-9.
The Kentucky Wildcats sit at No. 121 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Florida Gators sit at No. 109 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Kentucky has the nation's No. 81-rated offensive output, at 77.72 PPG. The visiting Florida Gators defense ranks No. 157 allowing on average 72.56 PPG. The Wildcats FG% has averaged 48.64% so far, more than the Kentucky Gators marksmen have achieved on the year, 44.47% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Gators got 28 points from KeVaughn Allen as Florida ran past Arkansas 88-73 on Wednesday at Stephen O'Connell Center.
Kevin Knox scored 21 points in a futile effort to lead the Wildcats to a win (they lost 76-68 to South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday).
Next Betting Matchups
Florida home to South Carolina, Wednesday, January 24th
Kentucky at Mississippi State, Tuesday, January 23rd