The No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats (24-11) go head-to-head with the No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats (26-10) in the Sweet Sixteen at Philips Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9:37 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
Kentucky opened as a 6-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 138.5 points.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kentucky Wildcats Free Prediction
In the Second Round, Kansas State defeated the No. 16 UMBC Retrievers, 50-43. Kansas State knocked down 13 of their 18 free throws (72.2 percent) and held UMBC to an effective field goal percentage of 0.362 (below their season average of 0.535). Kansas State was led by Makol Mawien, who had 11 points and six rebounds.
Kentucky easily got past the No. 13 Buffalo Bulls in the Second Round, 95-75 and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.617 vs. 0.440) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 44.8 (above their season average of 35.4). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 10-for-12 shooting.
Kansas State heads into the game with records of 24-11 straight up (SU) and 15-17 against the spread (ATS). Of Kansas State’s 32 games that accepted bets, 20 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Kentucky owns records of 26-10 SU and 18-17-1 ATS. Unlike Kansas State, Kentucky games tend to finish over the total (62.9 percent).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 assists and 2.0 steals over the last five games for Kentucky.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kentucky Wildcats Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kentucky ranks 35th in rebounds per game (38.6) while Kansas State ranks 306th (30.8).
Kansas State ranks 18th in steals per game (7.9) while Kentucky ranks 177th (5.6).
Kansas State ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while Kentucky ranks 172nd (3.7).
Kansas State ranks 147th in three pointers allowed per game (21.7) while Kentucky ranks 292nd (25.9).
Bettings Trends:
Kansas State’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 4.7 for the season.
During their last five games, Kentucky has scored an average of 79.6 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.4 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
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