The undefeated and top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats are on an 8-1-2 ATS run in their last 11 NCAA Tournament games as they prepare to take on the No. 16 Hampton Pirates on Thursday as huge favorites in a Round of 64 betting matchup at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.
It's the biggest point spread since 2004, according to our database, and the line was still climbing over at Sportsbook. The only other times KU was favored by 30 or more in the tournament, they covered both times in 1996 and 1997.
Kentucky, sitting at 34-0 SU after sweeping through their regular-season schedule and winning the SEC Tournament, have also been profitable lately at 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games despite the big spreads they've been facing. On the season Kentucky went 19-13-2 ATS.
Hampton topped Manhattan 74-64 in their First Four matchup in Dayton on Tuesday night to earn a shot at top-ranked Kentucky in the Round of 64. The No. 16 seeds were 0-4 SU once again at the 2014 NCAA Tournament, but they were also 3-1 ATS in those four contests.
Hampton Pirates vs Kentucky Wildcats Odds and Stats.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Kentucky Wildcats currently sport a 34-0 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 19-13-2 ATS. The Hampton Pirates are 17-17 and 8-2 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Kentucky Wildcats produce a 14-20 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Hampton Pirates have gone 4-4-1 against the totals betting line.
The Wildcats - Pirates odds would favor the Wildcats if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Kentucky is rated No. 2 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Hampton is at No. 55.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Pirates grabbed a 74-64 win over the Jaspers on Tuesday, behind a 15-point effort from Reginald Johnson at Dayton Arena.
Andrew Harrison scored 15 points leading the Wildcats to a 78-63 victory over Arkansas at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday.
Kentucky vs. Hampton Betting Trends:
Hampton vs Kentucky
Biggest Madness point spread since 2004
Hampton won and covered five straight to end the season
Kentucky 8-1-1 ATS past 10 games of season
Kentucky 8-0-1 ATS past nine games as double-digit chalk
Kentucky 8-1-2 ATS past 11 tournament games
Kentucky averaged 96 PPG in first round of the six seasons they earned a top seed (4-2 ATS)
Kentucky covered both other times they were favored by 30 or more in tournament (96-97)
