Illinois State at Kentucky odds, picks and predictions
The No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats (9-2) welcome the Illinois State Redbirds (8-4) to Rupp Arena Friday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Illinois State vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Wildcats, who are No. 10 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, beat the Louisville Cardinals 95-76 last time out on Dec. 21, covering as 14-point road favorites. That win came off the back of an 87-83 victory over the No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels. Kentucky has covered 3 straight games and is 7-4 against the spread (ATS) this season. It is led by G Antonio Reeves, who is averaging 18.3 points per game.
The Redbirds beat the SE Missouri St. Redhawks 85-64 on Dec. 21, covering as 14-point home favorites. They have won 5 of their last 6 and covered in each win. SE Missouri St. has not played a Power 5 school this season and is 6-4-1 ATS on the year. They are led by G Darius Burford, who is averaging 13.7 points per game.
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Illinois State at Kentucky odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:07 a.m. ET,
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois State +19.5 (-110) | Kentucky -19.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Illinois State at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 88, Illinois State 61
Moneyline
AVOID.
Don't play a moneyline even if you can find one.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY -19.5 (-110).
The Wildcats are 4-2 ATS as a favorite of 10 to 20 points this season and have covered 2 straight games with a spread between those amounts. They are coming off 2 of their more impressive games of the season, dominating the Cardinals on the road in a rivalry game and beating the Tar Heels on a neutral court (a game they closed as an underdog in).
The Redbirds have covered 5 of their last 6, but they have yet to play a team of Kentucky's caliber. They lost 3 of 6 to start the season and are 2-3 ATS on the road or on a neutral court. Considering those trends, back KENTUCKY -19.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
BET OVER 148.5 (-105).
Kentucky plays at one of the fastest tempos in the nation, shooting 67 shots per game which ranks 4th among the 362 programs. With that, the Cats have gone Over in 8 of 11 games and in 8 of their last 9. They have scored at least 81 points in 3 straight games as well.
The Redbirds are 5-6 O/U on the season but have gone Over in 2 straight games, notching at least 75. Back a high-energy game and take OVER 148.5 (-105).
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