Kentucky at Penn odds, picks and predictions
The Penn Quakers (6-4) welcome the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats (6-2) to the Wells Fargo Center Saturday (ESPN2). Tip is set for noon ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Kentucky vs. Penn odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Quakers beat the FDU-Florham Devils 111-57 Wednesday, but that game didn't feature a spread of total. They are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 games. They are 3-5 ATS on the season and 1-0 ATS against Power 5 schools that have been ranked this season, beating the Villanova Wildcats 76-72 at home Nov. 13. They covered as a 12-point home underdog.
Kentucky is No. 17 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll. In its last game, it lost to the UNC Wilmington Seahawks 80-73 Saturday, failing to cover as an 18.5-point favorite. The Wildcats are 2-1 ATS over their last 3 games and 4-4 ATS on the season. They are 1-0 away from home and have yet to play a true road game. The Cats have 6 players averaging double figures.
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Kentucky at Penn odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kentucky -1200 (bet $1200 to win $100) | Penn +750 (bet $100 to win $750)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kentucky -13.5 (-115) | Penn +13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Kentucky at Penn picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 85, Penn 73
Moneyline
PASS.
There's just no value here either way. Carry on.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN +13.5 (-115).
Penn has played well against quality opponents. While it is 3-5 ATS on the season, the Quakers are 1-1 ATS as an underdog. They are 1-0 ATS as a double-digit underdog.
The Cats are no doubt the better and deeper team, but they are just 2-3 ATS over their last 5 and 2-4 ATS as a double-digit favorite. Kentucky has played well when expected to but has often struggled to pull away from teams when the spotlight isn't the brightest.
Take PENN +13.5 (-115).
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Over/Under
BET OVER 154.5 (-110).
If there's one thing both teams have been good at, it is playing fast and playing at a high tempo. The Cats have scored 95 or more in 4 of their last 5 games and topped 100 in two of those.
They are 6-2 O/U. Penn is 5-3 O/U and has gone Over in 5 of its last 6 games with a total. The Quakers have scored 74 or more in their last 7 games and put up 76 on a slow-paced Villanova team.
That said, back OVER 154.5 (-110).
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