It will be a matchup between two stifling defenses when the 17th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (9-3) square off against the Missouri Tigers (8-4) at Rupp Arena. The game will air on SEC Network at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
Missouri Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Wildcats defeated the third-ranked Louisville Cardinals 78-70, while the Tigers won big over the Chicago State Cougars 91-33.
Missouri dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd effective field goal percentage of 0.661 (above their season average of 0.483) and a turnover percentage of 15.3 (better than their season average of 19.4). For those same stats, Chicago State put up marks of 0.267 and 31.9, respectively. Kentucky, on the other hand, made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, making 21 of them (84.0 percent). Louisville was just 9-20 (45.0 percent). Kentucky rallied around Tyrese Maxey, who put up 27 points and seven rebounds. Dru Smith was a key piece for Missouri with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The Wildcats won the sole game between these two teams last year, 66-58. Kentucky did a great job of making free throws (19-22; 86.4 percent). Missouri, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.1 vs. 25.0). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Points could be at a premium as a pair of the country’s premier defenses square off. Kentucky ranks 39th in defensive efficiency (89.6) and Missouri is ninth (84.0).
Missouri Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Missouri, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Missouri ranks 115th in three pointers attempted per game (23.2) while Kentucky ranks 269th (15.9).
- The Wildcats rank eighth in steals allowed per game (4.4) while the Tigers rank 54th (5.8).
- Kentucky allows the 22nd-fewest rebounds per game (30.6) while Missouri ranks 34th (31.5).
- The Wildcats rank 50th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Tigers rank 118th (3.0).
- Missouri is sixth in the NCAA with 8.8 assists allowed per game while Kentucky is 59th with 11.1 assists allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (0.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 51.8 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.8, down from 12.8 for the season.
