Bulldogs vs Wildcats NCAAB Handicapping Prediction
Kentucky (28-1) has already wrapped up the SEC title and they are in the driver’s seat to snag a top seed in the Big Dance, but they still have to face Georgia tonight and a ranked Florida team on the road in their season finale.
Venue/ Stadium: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Time/Date: 9 PM EST Thursday, March 1, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Kentucky -19.5
Over/Under: 128
Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats Preview
The Bulldogs (13-15) recently had their 3-game losing streak snapped with a solid win over Florida in their last game. NCAAB lines have Kentucky as big 19.5-point home favorites with a total of 128.
In their last games Georgia upset Florida beating them 76-62 and Kentucky won their 20th straight game beating Vanderbilt 83-74.
This season Kentucky is 10-17-1 ATS with an O/U record of 10-16-2 and Georgia is 11-13 ATS with an O/U record of 10-14.
Earlier this season at Georgia the Wildcats beat the Bulldogs 57-54.
It is pretty basic for the Bulldogs in this game, as they must play great defense because Kentucky not only ranks 20th in the nation in scoring, but Georgia only ranks 302nd in that department.
It is no secret that for Georgia to win they will have to figure out some way to contain the UK frontcourt duo of Anthony Davis (14.3 ppg 9.8 rpg) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (12 ppg 7.8 rpg). Davis may be gone to the NBA after his stellar freshman season and in his last 8 games is averaging 17.3 ppg on red-hot 72.6% shooting from the floor.
A couple of players that must play well tonight for Georgia are the backcourt duo of guards Gerald Robinson (14.3 ppg) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13.9 ppg). These guys must shoot the rock well and slow the pace of the game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Bulldogs 2 leading rebounders are Donte Williams (7.6 ppg 5.4 rpg) and Caldwell-Pope (5.1 rpg) and they will be counted on to keep Davis and a UK team that ranks 17th in the nation from killing them on the glass.
In their home loss to UK earlier this season Georgia shot 34.5% from the floor and they missed 13 of their 18 3-point bombs and if they shoot like that again tonight the Wildcats will crush them.
In some betting trends for this SEC match up Georgia is 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games following a S.U. win, and they have an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 13.0 or greater.
Kentucky is 3-13-1 ATS in their last 17 home games, 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and they have an Under record of 3-1-2 in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Jason’s Pick: The Wildcats will win this game, but I think Georgia will take a ton of confidence with their win over Florida and they will not be crushed. Take Georgia to cover the big 19.5-point spread tonight.
