The No. 13 Buffalo Bulls (27-8) go head-to-head against the No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats (25-10) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Taco Bell Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Kentucky Wildcats Free Prediction
In the First Round, the Bulls blew out the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats, 89-68. Buffalo was lights out from beyond the arc (15-30; 50.0 percent). Arizona, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (8-11; 72.7 percent). Buffalo was led by Wes Clark, who was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting.
The Wildcats beat the No. 12 Davidson Wildcats in the First Round, 78-73. Kentucky made 26 of their 32 free throws (81.3 percent) and held Davidson to an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.1 (below the 31.3 mark opponents have averaged against Kentucky this season). With 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played well.
The aggressive Kentucky offense might be living from the free throw line in this matchup. The Wildcats currently rank 11th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.304, while Buffalo ranks 313th in FTA rate allowed (0.291). Moreover, the Bulls rank 33rd in effective field goal percentage (0.552), while the Wildcats rank 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.469).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Jeremy Harris (18.0 points and 6.2 rebounds) has been fantastic for the Bulls while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19.4 points, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Wildcats.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Buffalo ranks 34th in three pointers attempted per game (26.2) while Kentucky ranks 320th (14.8).
The Wildcats average 38.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 40th in the nation. The Bulls rank 224th in rebounds allowed per game (36.3).
Buffalo ranks 13th in assists per game (16.8) while Kentucky ranks 164th (13.3).
The Wildcats rank 27th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Bulls rank 177th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Bulls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.6, up from 9.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 74.0 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
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