The LSU Tigers will look to get back up after a loss over the weekend. Up next for them is a rematch against the Kentucky Wildcats, who have been waiting for this game ever since they lost to Will Wade’s squad last month. Check out our preview of this LSU-Kentucky SEC college basketball showdown.
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Betting Preview for the LSU Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats NCAA College Basketball Game on February 23 2022
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
When: Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 9:00 PM ET
Line: LSU Tigers (odds) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (odds) – view all 2022 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the LSU Tigers (odds)
Record: 19-8 Overall/7-7 Conference
LSU got stopped on its tracks in a 77-75 road loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last Saturday. The loss ended the Tigers’ three-game win streak. While the loss deflated their momentum a bit heading into the rematch against Kentucky, the Tigers must still feel good about their chances this Wednesday. After all, they have already defeated Kentucky this season, topping the Wildcats in a 65-60 win at home last January. LSU possesses a defense that has the ability to silence even high-powered teams like Kentucky, which shot just 36.2 percent from the field against the Tigers. On the season, the Tigers are 18th in the nation with just 61.9 points allowed per game and 13th in opponents’ effective field goal percentage. It’s just hard to get into a rhythm on offense versus the pesky Tigers, who also happens to be the No. 1 team in Division I basketball both in terms of steals per game (11.3) and steals rate (13.8%).
The Over is 7-3 in LSU’s last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (odds)
Record: 22-5 Overall/11-3 Conference
Kentucky overcame the absence of two key players and defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in Lexington last Saturday, 90-81. The Wildcats missed the services of Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington due to injuries in the Alabama game, but Kellan Grad, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Keion Brooks Jr. handled the business just fine. Grady exploded for 25 points, while Tshiebwe and Brooks had 21 and 18 points, respectively. Tshiebwe dealt with foul trouble in the loss to LSU, so if he could keep his fouls in check this Wednesday, that would be great for the Wildcats, who need his dominance on the glass. Tshiebwe is the nation’s leader in defensive rebound rate and second overall in offensive rebound rate. He had eight points and 13 rebounds in the LSU game, while Grady had 13 points. Kentucky also needs to be better on the foul line to capitalize on the fouls that will come from LSU. The Tigers’ style of play leads to a high foul rate, which means a great potential for Kentucky to get plenty of trips to the free-throw line. (They went just 10/20 FTs in the first meeting vs. LSU).
Kentucky is 3-2 against the spread in its last five games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky wins, 74-67.
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