Home Win Over Auburn Can Give Kentucky The SEC Title

Kentucky has lost one game since mid-January, which came at the hands of Auburn. The Wildcats get a chance to avenge that loss, and clinch the regular-season SEC title, at home where they are 15-1. Sportsbook as 6.5-point favorites, they’re a strong play on Saturday.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Kentucky is 15-1 at home this season, outscoring opponents by an average of 12 points per game. The No. 8 Wildcats only opened as 6.5-point favorites on Saturday, however, as they’re facing another nationally-ranked program in Auburn… who has already beaten them this season (albeit that was in Auburn).

The last three matchups between these teams have totaled an average of 140.66 points per game, including their game totaling 141 points earlier this month, so the total for Saturday’s game opened at an appropriate 141.5 points.

Auburn News & Notes

Auburn has had a fantastic season, sporting a 24-4 record and sitting 15th in the national rankings and second in the SEC.

The Tigers have won nine of their last 11 games, powered by the country’s 31st-ranked offense, which has helped the total go OVER in five of Auburn’s last seven games. They got a boost in their last game from the return of second-leading scorer Isaac Okoro, who had missed three games with a hamstring injury. He played 27 minutes and looks healthy heading into a rematch against the conference’s top team.

If there is one area Auburn can improve, it’s their compete level on the road: the Tigers are just 4-4 SU in eight road games this season, covering the spread in just two of those contests. The good news is that they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against Kentucky, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to rise to the occasion for this tough road battle.

Kentucky News & Notes

Kentucky has won 11 of its last 12 games. Their only loss? A 75-64 defeat at Auburn on Feb. 1. Since that loss, the eighth-ranked Wildcats have rattled off seven straight wins, going 6-1 ATS over that stretch.

As they hold a two-game lead over Auburn with three games to play, it would take a shocking collapse for Kentucky to blow their lead. But earning the home victory Saturday against the Tigers would clinch the SEC regular-season title for the Wildcats.

Immanuel Quickley had 23 points in their previous loss to the Tigers. While their leading scorer has actually performed better on the road this season, the Wildcats as a team have been dominant at home: they’re 15-1 at Rupp Arena this season, including 10 straight wins, and are defeating opponents by an average of 12 points per game — things look good for Kentucky to claim their fourth SEC regular-season title in the past six years.

Betting Pick: KENTUCKY -6.5

Kentucky has been great at home, and with a chance to avenge their earlier loss to Auburn — and clinch the SEC regular-season title — I think Kentucky will take care of business Saturday.