The Auburn Tigers (+7,500 to win the national title) will take their talents to Lexington this coming weekend for a rematch with the Kentucky Wildcats (+900). The Tigers are seeking to tie their score with Kentucky, but that’s going to be easier said than done, considering the way the Wildcats are playing of late. Still, the Tigers are a potent team that can’t be taken lightly — even by elite teams.
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Betting Preview for the Auburn Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats College Basketball Game on February 23, 2019
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington
When: Saturday, February 23, 2019, 1:30 PM ET
Line: Auburn Tigers (odds) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Auburn Tigers
Auburn prevented a three-game losing skid when it beat the Vanderbilt Commodores on the road last Saturday, 64-43. The win came after back-to-back losses to the LSU Tigers and to the Ole Miss Rebels. But before Auburn takes on Kentucky, the Tigers will have to deal with the Arkansas Razorbacks at home this Wednesday. In any case, though, Auburn is definitely itching to get back at Kentucky and avenge its 82-80 home loss to the Wildcats last month. In that game, Auburn went berserk from behind the arc, drilling 13 of their 30 three-point attempts. Senior guard Bryce Brown went off for 28 points against Kentucky, as he sank six treys on seven attempts while also going a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line. The Tigers could have won that game had they not had a slow start, as they ended the first half behind by eight points. Look for Auburn to be more aggressive early in the rematch against Kentucky while also finding their stroke from deep. The Tigers are second in the SEC with a 40.0 percent 3-point shooting percentage.
Auburn is 3-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last five meetings with the Wildcats.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (21-4 Overall / 10-2 Conference)
Kentucky shook off a controversial loss at home to the LSU Tigers last week and vented its frustration on the No. 1 team in the nation, beating the Tennessee Volunteers in Lexington last Saturday to the tune of an 86-69 score. What was expected to be a close game turned out to be a lopsided event in favor of the Wildcats, who kept Tennessee’s offense in check. The Vols shot just 40.7 from the field and went just 7-for-25 from long distance. Conversely, Kentucky was feeling it, making 54.7 percent of its shots. That was reminiscent of the Wildcats’ 54.2 percent shooting in the win over Auburn in January, the same game in which the backcourt tandem of Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson combined for 40 points and five 3-pointers. Herro and Johnson have the ability to negate whatever production Bryce Brown and Jared Harper provide for Auburn’s backcourt, which magnifies Kentucky’s advantage in the frontcourt, with PJ Washington and Reid Travis. Washington leads the Wildcats with 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds, while Travis isn’t too shabby with averages of 11.6 points and 7.1 boards per game.
Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky wins, 75-68.
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