After a slow start offensively, the Kentucky Wildcats have started pouring on the points. UK is averaging 91.6 points per game in their past five compared to just 71 through their first five. This uptick in offense has made Kentucky a great OVER bet, as they have topped the closing total in their past five games. John Calipari’s boys will look to continue this offensive onslaught when they visit the UCLA Bruins Saturday.
We all should have expected Kentucky to take time to figure things out, as the team is comprised nearly entirely of underclassmen. The Wildcats top nine scorers are all underclassmen, including six freshmen. Kevin Knox has cemented himself as the top guy on the team with the former five-star recruit leading the team in points while sitting second in rebounds and third in assists.
UCLA has largely been beating up on lesser competition this season but they struggle when they can’t get out to an early lead. A big reason why is their lack of depth, as the eight-man rotation can often get overworked and exhausted. Junior guard Aaron Holiday is the offensive centerpiece – he has scored at least 14 points in eight-straight – but needs to work on his tendency to turn the ball over.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Kentucky Wildcats were listed as -6.5-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the over/under betting odds total was expected shortly.
UCLA Bruins vs Kentucky Wildcats Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Kentucky Wildcats currently sport a 9-1 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 5-5 ATS. The UCLA Bruins are 8-3 and 3-8 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Kentucky Wildcats produce a 5-5 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the UCLA Bruins have gone 6-5 against the totals betting line.
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Kentucky Wildcats at No. 60 and the UCLA Bruins at No. 74 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Kentucky's No. 53 nationally ranked offense (81.3 points per game) against a UCLA Bruins defense that sits as the No. 211 at 76.18 PPG. The Kentucky Wildcats have been averaging 50.34% from the field, more than the Bruins have managed so far this season (46.9% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Bruins grabbed a 85-82 win over the Coyotes on Tuesday, behind a 19-point effort from Thomas Welsh at Pauley Pavilion.
The Wildcats got 21 points from Kevin Knox as Kentucky ran past Virginia Tech 93-86 on Saturday at Rupp Arena.
Next Betting Matchups
UCLA home to Washington State, Friday, December 29th
Kentucky at Louisville, Friday, December 29th