LSU Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – March 5, 2016

The LSU Tigers can still gain a share of the SEC regular season title. But that’s definitely easier said than done, as they’ll need to go on the road to beat the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats, who are currently in a first-place tie with No. 20 Texas A&M in the SEC standings, and hope the Aggies lose their final regular season game.

Can the Tigers pull off the upset in front of a hostile Rupp Arena crowd? Or will the Wildcats impose their dominance? Read on below for a closer look at this crucial showdown. And while you’re at it, check out our preview of the Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans.

LSU Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington

When: Saturday, March 5, 2016, 2:00 PM ET

Line: LSU Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats – view all NCAA Basketball lines

TV Broadcast: CBS

Betting on the LSU Tigers (18-12, 11-6 SEC)

After an 80-71 win over Missouri on Tuesday night, the LSU Tigers remain just a game behind conference co-leaders Texas A&M and Kentucky. Ben Simmons made sure to provide an all-around performance of 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in what was likely his final home game with the Tigers.

Now, Simmons and co. will look to gain a share of the regular season title when they collide with the 22nd-ranked Wildcats for the second and final time this season. The Tigers delivered quite a shock as they handily beat Kentucky, 85-67, in their first meeting.

Simmons wasn’t even all that big a factor, as he tallied just 14 points and 10 boards in their previous encounter with the Wildcats. The versatile first-year forward has been doing it all for the Tigers lately, averaging 21.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.6 dimes while shooting 58.1 percent from the floor.

Meanwhile, the pair of Craig Victor II and Antonio Blakeney should be able to get a handful of good looks with the opposing defense focusing mostly on Simmons. Both players are posting 12.3 points per game and Blakeney, in particular, enters this matchup having scored 18 or more points his previous four outings. That stretch includes his career performance versus Florida last Saturday, during which Blakeney finished with 32 points.

LSU is 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS in its past 10 road games.

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Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (22-8, 12-5 SEC)

Despite squandering a 14-point lead late in the first half, the Kentucky Wildcats still managed to come out victorious on Tuesday night against the Gators, 88-79.

It was the pair of Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis who led the way with 21 and 19 points, respectively. But those two also got more than enough help from their supporting cast. The trio of Skal Labissiere, Alex Poythress and Isaiah Briscoe all chipped in with 36 points combined.

The No. 22 Wildcats will now hope to receive this same amount of production again when they play host to the LSU Tigers for their regular-season finale. And a win for both teams will surely give them a much-needed boost for all the madness that awaits us in this month of March.

Kentucky should be able to have an easier time in racking up the points in this one. They’ll be matching up against an LSU defense that’s allowing 82.3 points in its previous three outings. Expect Murray (19.9 PPG) and Ulis (16.7 PPG), who both lead the Wildcats in scoring this season, to continue imposing their will on offense.

On defense though, the Wildcats will really need to lock up the duo of Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney. Both freshmen are posting 20-plus points in their last four contests.

Kentucky, which is giving up 61.6 points at home, is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in its previous 10 games at home.

Writer’s Prediction

Kentucky wins by 10-plus points.

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