Tip off : 7:45 PM EST
Spread: KY -11
Total: 140
M/L: KY -850, IOW +650
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these college basketball betting odds
Iowa State
Iowa State held their own in the Big 12, finishing with a 12-6 conference record, while going 10-4 out of conference. They’re offense is strong (73.2 points per game) and they rebound the ball well (36.7 boards per game).
The Cyclones lost 5 of their 6 games to ranked opponents this season, with the lone exception being an 8 point triumph over then ranked #5 Kansas. Prior to losing to Texas last game, they had won four of their last five, with the only loss coming to ranked Missouri.
The trio of Royce White, Scott Christopherson, and Chris Allen combine for 37.4 of the Cylcones 73 points per night, and White leads the way with 13.1 per game. White, a 6’8? sophomore forward, also leads the team in rebounding with 9.2 boards per game. Surprisingly, in games in which White has scored 20 or more, the Cyclones are just 2-3, with the last 20 point game loss having came against Missouri, as he went 9 of 16 from the floor, playing all but 2 minutes (because he fouled out). If leading the team in scoring and rebounding wasn’t enough, White also has a team high 5.1 assists per game. It goes without saying that the Cyclones’ chance of advancing lies firmly upon his shoulders, though he must keep his teammates involved to avoid the aforementioned stat of losing games when he plays big.
Iowa State Betting Trends:
19-9 ATS last 29 games, 9-5 ATS when total is between 140 and 149.5, 10-1 ATS in Saturday gamers, 16-7 ATS vs teams with winning records, 10-4 ATS vs good defensive teams (allowing less than 64 ppg).
Kentucky
As most already realize, the 33-2 Wildcats are the tournament favorite. At 33-2, their only losses have come to Indiana and Vanderbilt, though the loss to Vandy was in the SEC championship just last week.
It was a bad way to enter the tournament, but maybe some feel that it’s best to get the loss out of the way now since the Cats hadn’t lost since December 10th (the Hoosiers game).
The Wildcats use a balanced attack centered, with all starters nearly averaging double figures (starting point guard Marquis Teague is at 9.4 per game). Anthony Davis has emerged as the consensus #1 overall pick this June in the NBA Draft, and he’s blocking an astounding 4.6 shots per game. His interior defense is one of the main reasons for the Wildcats’ success this year. His 14.3 points per game also lead the team.
Sophomore guard Doron Lamb will also be counted upon heavily. The 6’4? sophomore is averaging a second best on the team 13.2 points per game. Lamb has scored in double figures in 24 of the 34 Kentucky games, but struggled badly with a 2-11 shooting night against Vanderbilt in the SEC Championship.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist must become more involved in the offense. Kidd-Gilchrist has attempted no more than 8 shots in the Wildcats’ last five games, yet has hit 16 of his 29 field goal attempts over that span. It’s not that he’s shooting less (8.1 attempts per game on the season), it’s just that he could make a greater impact, and possibly will, if they can get him more involved in this run. He’s likely a one and done, so this is his big chance to help his draft stock..
Wildcats Betting Trends:
13-21 ATS last 34 games, 4-11 ATS in Saturday games, 1-5 ATS in NCAA tournament games, 8-15 ATS vs teams with winning records, 1-0 ATS vs Big 12 opponents.
