John Calipari knew he was going to be dealing with growing pains this season but he certainly did not envision it was going to turn out like this. Kentucky, which has the youngest roster in the nation, has dropped three straight games for the first time since January 2009. Now coach Calipari needs to take a reeling, young lineup into hostile territory to take on the SEC-leading Auburn Tigers on Wednesday.
- Kentucky is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games against Auburn.
- Kentucky is 19-1 SU in its last 20 games against Auburn.
- Auburn G Mustapha Heron is averaging 23.3 points while shooting 58.5% in the last 3 games.
Kentucky has averaged just 64.3 points while shooting an abysmal 22.4 percent from beyond the arc in its last three outings. This team might genuinely be the worst three-point shooting team Calipari has ever had in Lexington, as the young squad is 252nd in the nation in three-point percentage while making just 4.9 threes per game – the ninth-lowest in the country. That being said, the team is filled with scorers like Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who put up plenty of points thanks to their driving abilities.
Auburn has looked more like the Kentucky team we have been used to seeing over the last several years, as the Tigers rank fifth in the country in scoring, 11th in scoring differential and 18th in threes made per game. That does not mean it has come easy for Auburn with the team coming back from double-digit deficits in the second half five times this season. Keep an eye on the injury report, as the Tigers’ leading scorer, Bryce Brown, missed their most recent game with a shoulder injury and his status is up in the air.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the Kentucky Wildcats before tipoff in this one found them as 8.5-point underdogs over at Sportsbook earlier.
Kentucky Wildcats vs Auburn Tigers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Kentucky Wildcats have watched them go 17-8 and 10-15 ATS on the college basketball season, while the Auburn Tigers are at 22-3 and 17-6 ATS. In totals betting, the Tigers are 12-11, while the Wildcats have a 13-12 mark.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Tigers rated this week at No. 10 and the Wildcats sitting at No. 161.
Statistical Matchup
Rebounding is always a key handicapping betting consideration and Kentucky is ranked No. 30 in NCAA basketball at 38.92 per game. Contrast that with Auburn's No. 46 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Auburn is the No. 15-ranked team in the country at 10.12 treys per game, while Kentucky rates No. 258 at 4.88 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 19 points in a futile effort to lead the Wildcats to a win (they lost 85-74 to Texas A&M at Reed Arena on Saturday).
The Tigers got 24 points from Jared Harper as Auburn ran past Georgia 78-61 on Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
- Kentucky is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Kentucky is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kentucky's last 6 games
- Kentucky is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Auburn is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
- Auburn is 20-2 SU in its last 22 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Auburn's last 6 games
- Auburn is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Kentucky home to Alabama, Saturday, February 17
Auburn at South Carolina, Saturday, February 17
