The Davidson Wildcats search for their first victory at the NCAA Tournament in 10 years as they take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Thursday night at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. Davidson heads to the Big Dance after topping Rhode Island 58-57 as a 2.5-point underdog in the Atlantic 10 tournament final, while Kentucky rides high following a 77-72 upset of Tennessee as a 2-point underdog to claim a fourth straight SEC tournament crown.
- Kentucky is 7-1 SU and ATS in its last eight games.
- The total has gone UNDER in Davidson’s last seven games with three days off between games.
- Davidson is 8-1 SU in its last nine games.
No. 12 Davidson has emerged victorious in four straight outings, both straight up and against the spread, and is 2-2 SU in its past four as a betting underdog. The A-10 Wildcats have also covered in 11 of 15 Thursday contests but have fallen SU in their past four tournament clashes, including an 83-52 blowout loss to Kansas as a 2.5-point underdog in their last appearance in 2015.
No. 5 Kentucky’s victory over the Volunteers lifts the squad to 29-3 SU in its past 32 March outings. The SEC Wildcats have been particularly dominant in the Sportsbook round at recent NCAA Tournaments, claiming victory by an average margin of 16.4 points in five straight wins.
It has been 32 years since these teams last met, with top-ranked Kentucky claiming a dominating 75-55 win over Davidson in the first round of the 1986 NCAA Tournament.
Davidson Wildcats vs Kentucky Wildcats Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Kentucky Wildcats currently sport a 24-10 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 17-17 ATS. The Davidson Wildcats are 21-11 and 19-12 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Kentucky Wildcats produce a 20-14 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Davidson Wildcats have gone 12-19 against the totals betting line.
The Wildcats - Wildcats odds would favor the Wildcats if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Kentucky is rated No. 161 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Davidson is at No. 9.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Kentucky has the nation's No. 72-rated offensive output, at 76.74 PPG. The visiting Davidson Wildcats defense ranks No. 45 allowing on average 67.56 PPG. The Wildcats FG% has averaged 46.99% so far, less than the Kentucky Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.26% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Davidson earned a 58-57 victory over Rhode Island on Sunday, getting 17 points from Kellan Grady at Capitol One Arena.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points leading the Wildcats to a 77-72 victory over Tennessee at Scottrade Center on Sunday.
