The Louisville Cardinals (10-2) will try to extend their six-game winning streak against the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (9-2) at Rupp Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 145.5 points with Kentucky set as a 6-point favorite.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Kentucky Wildcats Free Prediction
The Cardinals come in on a high note after dismantling the Grand Canyon Antelopes in their last game, 74-56. The Cardinals had a superb free throw rate of 0.305 (above their season average of 0.225), while the Antelopes had a turnover percentage of 24.0 (above their season average of 16.7). Louisville rallied around Raymond Spalding, who was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
In the Wildcats’ last matchup, they fell to the UCLA Bruins, 83-75. Making free throws was one of UCLA’s largest advantages. They were 13-15 (86.7 percent), while the Wildcats were just 11-16 (68.8 percent). Kentucky’s Wenyen Gabriel finished with 16 points and six rebounds in the game.
The offensive glass should be a huge advantage for Kentucky in this showdown. The Wildcats rank 18th in offensive rebounding percentage (37.4 percent), while Louisville ranks 291st in defensive rebounding percentage (67.9 percent).
Louisville is 10-2 straight up (SU), but they have trouble covering the spread (3-6-1 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas is highly precise when setting the total of Cardinals games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Kentucky is 9-2 SU and 5-6 ATS. Of the Wildcats’ 10 games with betting action, 6 have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Quentin Snider (16.8 points and 3.6 assists) has been stellar for the Cardinals while Hamidou Diallo (17.8 points and 1.8 steals) has contributed greatly to the Wildcats.
After the Cardinals won the only contest against the Wildcats last season, 73-70, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Cardinals’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Wildcats. Louisville had a rate of 32.4, while Kentucky posted a mark of 28.2.
Louisville Cardinals at Kentucky Wildcats Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Louisville is 0-2 ATS on the road with 1 over and 1 under.
Kentucky is 3-5 ATS at home with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Kentucky ranks 36th in rebounds per game (39.7) while Louisville ranks 211th in rebounds allowed per game (37.3).
The Cardinals rank 90th in three pointers allowed per game (20.7) while the Wildcats rank 245th (27.0).
Louisville ranks sixth in assists allowed per game (9.6) while Kentucky ranks 141st (13.7).
The Cardinals rank 55th in steals per game (7.6) while the Wildcats rank 137th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
Louisville averages 8.4 blocks per game, which ranks second in the nation. Kentucky ranks 60th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Louisville is 1-2-1 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders.
Kentucky is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 14.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 89.4 points per game (8.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 77.6 points per game (7.1 above their season average).
