Wildcats vs. Wildcats Prediction
The second-seeded Kentucky Wildcats will be big favorites tonight in their NCAA Tournament first round games against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. Is Kentucky a good bet despite the steep spread line?
Game Snapshot
771 Abilene Christian Wildcats vs. 772 Kentucky Wildcats
Thursday, March 21, 2019
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:10PM ET
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Kentucky is a 21-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 132 points. As of Thursday morning, 60 percent of public bets are siding with Kentucky. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Abilene Christian downs New Orleans
Abilene Christian cruised to a 77-60 victory Saturday night over New Orleans in the Southland Conference Tournament championship game to improve to 27-6 on the season. The Wildcats established a 40-29 halftime lead en route to the win. Jaren Lewis paced Abilene Christian with 20 points on 10-of-17 shooting. He also contributed six rebounds and three steals. Jaylen Franklin tallied 16 points, six assists and three boards. Hayden Farquhar had 14 points and eight caroms. Joe Pleasant added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals off the bench. The Wildcats shot 32-of-57 from the field, 4-of-12 from 3-point range plus 9-of-14 at the free throw line.
Wildcats fall to Vols
Kentucky lost by a score of 82-78 Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals to drop to 27-6 on the season. The Wildcats were outscored 46-44 in the second half of what was a close game throughout. Kentucky shot 30-of-56 from the floor, 5-of-11 from 3-point range plus 13-of-19 at the free throw line. P.J. Washington led a balanced scoring attack with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting plus 4-of-4 at the free throw line. He also grabbed five rebounds. Keldon Johnson accounted for 15 points and six rebounds. Reid Travis contributed 11 points and six boards. Ashton Hagans tallied 10 points and 12 assists. Tyler Herro added 10 points, four dimes and three rebounds.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Abilene Christian
Abilene Christian is 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall. The Wildcats are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
Kentucky
The Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games. Kentucky is 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall.
Prediction:
Abilene Christian has lost by double digits twice this season – to Pepperdine and Texas Tech – but both of those games were back in December and odds are that it is an improved product since then. Kentucky has gotten better as the season has progressed for sure, but with bigger fish to fry in the second round Kentucky could ease off the gas pedal in the second half. I think Abilene Christian will make this one more respectable than the line indicates it will be.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: ABILENE CHRISTIAN +21.5