The Wichita State Shockers looked every bit like a no. 1 seed in notching their 35th straight win in the Round of 64, but their next assignment against the dangerous Kentucky Wildcats will be by far the toughest test in their perfect season thus far.
Will the Shockers keep their perfect season alive into the Sweet 16? Or will this be Kentucky’s moment to prove their preseason No. 1 ranking was justified? Read on for everything you need to bet on what could be the best game of the March Madness tournament thus far.
[sc:MarchMadness ]No. 1 Wichita State Shockers vs. No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
When: Sunday, March 23, 2:45 PM EST
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO
Line: No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats (+3.5) at No. 1 Wichita State Shockers (-3.5); total 133.5
Betting on the Wichita State Shockers
[sc:finalfour240 ]If there were still any lingering doubts about Wichita State’s No. 1 seed credentials, those were put to rest with Wichita State’s mashing of No. 16 Cal Poly, 64-37. The Shockers improved to 35-0 SU on the season and are 9-0 ATS in their last nine games after comfortably covering the massive 17-point spread.
Cleanthony Early was outstanding against the Mustangs, with 23 points on 9-15 shooting to lead the Shockers, who were in control all game despite shooting just 31% from three and 57% from the line. Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall’s vaunted defense, which limited opponents to a 39% field goal percentage this year, held the Mustangs to just 12 total field goals on 21% shooting.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats
No. 8 Kentucky ground its way toward a 56-49 win over No. 9 Kansas State in the Round of 64, all thanks to two of its star freshmen. Julius Randle was beastly with 19 points and 15 rebounds while Aaron Harrison added 18 points. The two were the only Wildcats with more than seven points. They also combined to shoot 13-22 (59%) while the rest of the team went 6-28 (21%) from the field.
The Wildcats did what they have been good at all year; they dominated the boards (40-28), went to the line (21 times) and blocked shots (seven). But they also showed one of their most prominent weaknesses in their first 2014 tournament game, as they missed a third of their free throws.
Prediction
Wichita State’s strengths are its defense and its balance, but Kentucky pushed another well-balanced defensive juggernaut in Florida to the brink, even with a struggling Randle. Much like that game, the Wildcats will push the Shockers to the edge and cover the +3.5 point spread in the process, but will ultimately fall short of the Sweet 16.
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