Shockers in Rare Spot as an Underdog vs Kentucky

Be warned, hoops bettors — it’s rare for all No. 2 seeds to advance to the Sweet 16. It’s only happened once since 1997, and the 10th-seeded Wichita State Shockers will look to add to this trend vs No. 2 Kentucky. To do so, they’ll have to put an end to the Wildcats’ 12-game winning streak, but the Shockers are on an even better streak, posting 16 consecutive wins with 11 covers over that span.

Shark Bites
  • Kentucky is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games in March.
  • Wichita State is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games.
  • Wichita State is 7-0 SU in its last seven games after losing the previous game in a matchup.

Covering the spread hasn’t come as easy for Kentucky lately, as the Wildcats have gone just 7-13-1 ATS since the calendar flipped to 2017. Perhaps the start of a longer trend, however, is a 3-0 ATS mark in their last three games following an ATS loss. They failed to cover the 20-point spread in their opening-round matchup vs Northern Kentucky, due in large part to taking their foot off the gas in the second half, causing them to only win by nine after entering halftime up by 14.

One concern for Wichita State backers should be that this will be the first game all season that their team enters as an underdog. Kentucky was the favorite in all but one game this season, going 30-4 SU as the betting favorite.

Bettors should be aware that totals trends heavily favor the UNDER for both teams, with the total going UNDER in seven of Kentucky's last eight games and in four straight for Wichita State.

Wichita State Shockers vs Kentucky Wildcats Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Kentucky Wildcats bring a 30-5 record (17-17-1 ATS) to this tilt against the 31-4 Shockers, who are 18-13-1 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting have witnessed Kentucky go 17-18 so far and the Wichita State Shockers go 17-15.

It's a betting matchup between the No. 6-rated Kentucky Wildcats and the No. 1-ranked Wichita State Shockers, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Kentucky's No. 5-ranked offense, averaging 85.74 PPG, against a Shockers defense that ranks No. 12 at 62.31 PPG. The Wildcats field goal percentage has averaged 47.56% so far, more than the Shockers marksmen have achieved on the year, 47.22% per game.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Landry Shamet scored 13 points leading the Shockers to a 64-58 victory over Dayton at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday.

The Wildcats grabbed a 79-70 win over the Norse on Friday, behind a 19-point effort from De'Aaron Fox at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Kentucky is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games in March.home Wichita State is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games.away Wichita State is 7-0 SU in its last seven games after losing the previous game in a matchup.away
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