So far, so good. The Kentucky Wildcats have dominated their competition this early this season, most recently demolishing No. 5 Kansas 72-40 in an early season shocker. With a big win over a fellow championship contender, the Wildcats may be left sleeping on their next opponents, the Boston University Terriers. Can the Terriers shock the Wildcats, or at least keep up with the championship favorites? Or will Kentucky take another blowout?
For an overview of the current college basketball season, check out our complete 2014 season preview. In the meantime, you can also see the biggest games coming your way in the 2014-2015 season here.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Boston University Terriers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview
Where: Rupp Arena, Kentucky
When: Friday, November 21, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Boston University Terriers at Kentucky Wildcats – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Boston University Terriers
John Papale led the Boston University Terriers past Norfolk State 71-63 Wednesday night. The junior guard finished with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Meanwhile, fellow guard Cedric Hankerson scored 16 points and seven assists, while also recording three steals.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Papale and Hankerson should be a solid backcourt duo for the Terriers, especially if Kentucky’s size gives Boston University problems inside the paint—the Wildcats outscored Kansas 30-12 from inside the paint in their previous game. Papale in particular was sharp from beyond the arc, sinking in 5 of 9 three-point attempts, while Hankerson may be effective finding the open lanes to attack the basket to keep Kentucky off balance.
Hankerson’s playmaking may also help in moving the ball to spread out Kentucky’s defense. The sophomore has 14 assists from his first two games this season.
The Terriers are 5-2 in their last seven games with one day off since 2011.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats could not have had a better start to the season. They’ve won their first three games with a 30.33 average margin of victory.
This is a deep team. Kentucky only had two players reach double figures in their most-recent win, a 72-40 victory over No. 5 Kansas. Dakari Johnson scored 11 points and Andrew Harrison had 10, while Willie Cauley-Stein finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.
It was the Wildcats’ excellent defensive effort that deserved the most credit, though. Kentucky blocked 11 shots, forced 11 turnovers and limited the Jayhawks to only 19.6 percent shooting from the field. The same defensive display from Kentucky should aid them in limiting Boston University below their average of 45.2 percent shooting and 71.2 points.
Should Kentucky’s Harrison brothers get themselves going from downtown in this game, they’ll be due for some big production against Boston University who have allowed 35.4 percent shooting on three-pointers (246th in the NCAA). The Harrison brothers went a combined 4 for 5 on three point attempts against Kansas.
The total has gone under in Kentucky’s three games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Wildcats win another blowout. Create a betting account now and cash in on some of basketball’s brightest young stars.
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