Mississippi State at Kentucky odds, picks and predictions
The Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-4, 1-2 SEC) and Kentucky Wildcats (12-3, 2-1) meet Wednesday in Lexington. Tip time in the 'cats-and-'dogs tilt at Rupp Arena will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Mississippi State vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Mississippi State is 6-2 over its last 8 games, but the Bulldogs are coming off a Saturday loss to Alabama. The squad with the 2nd-leading defense in the SEC (64.8 points per game) was undone by a shaky 15-of-27 (55.6%) performance at the free-throw line in an 82-74 loss (as a -1 favorite).
The Wildcats, ranked No. 10 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, are 9-1 across their last 10 games against the Bulldogs. But they, too, are heading into this game off a loss. On Saturday (as a +3 underdog), Kentucky coughed up a season high in points in a 97-92 loss at Texas A&M.
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Mississippi State at Kentucky odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Mississippi State +215 (bet $100 to win $215) | Kentucky -265 (bet $265 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mississippi State +6.5 (-110) | Kentucky -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mississippi State at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 74, Mississippi State 72
Moneyline
PASS.
Mississippi State is a slight lean, but we should want more plus money in return.
Against the spread
MSU has won 2 of the last 3 series meetings ATS. This season, the Bulldogs are 8-2 ATS when facing winning teams.
KenPom pegs Mississippi State as the No. 29 team in NCAA-I. The Bulldogs are a veteran, defense-forward squad that has played very well on the road. MSU hits the glass hard, and a key UK rebounder and scorer -- G Adou Thiero -- is questionable due to an undisclosed injury.
The Bulldogs also do a nice job getting to the free-throw line and defending the perimeter. Perhaps-worn-down Kentucky is vulnerable in this spot.
TAKE MISSISSIPPI STATE +6.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
The pace in this one figure to be hectic. But, respecting the perimeter defense on both sides and the MSU defense overall, the Under has a solid lean.
BET THE UNDER 154.5 (-110).
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