Kentucky at South Carolina College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/16/2018

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Colonial Life Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Kentucky Wildcats travel to Colonial Life Arena to play the South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The opening line for this game has Kentucky as 3 point favorites.

Kentucky heads into this matchup with a mark of 14-3. They currently have a point differential of 8.6 as they are averaging 78.3 points per contest while giving up 69.6 per game. South Carolina has an overall mark of 11-6. They are averaging 70.9 points per contest and giving up 65.1, which is a point differential of 5.8.

Valuable Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 7-9 against the spread this season

The Kentucky Wildcats are 8-9 against the over/under this year

Important South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 7-8 against the spread this season

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 5-10 against the over/under this year

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

11/22/17 F Jarred Vanderbilt Foot is out indefinitely
11/06/17 G Jemarl Baker Knee is out indefinitely
01/15/18 G Quade Green Back is "?" Tuesday vs South Carolina
01/15/18 F Tai Wynyard Back is "?" Tuesday vs South Carolina

Key South Carolina Gamecocks Injuries

12/20/17 G Kory Holden Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/15/18 G Tommy Corchiani Knee is "?" Tuesday vs Kentucky

Player Spotlight

Hamidou Diallo averages 13.8 points per game in 28.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 63%. Kevin Knox averages 14.2 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Frank Booker averages 10.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 69%. Chris Silva averages 14.2 points per game while playing 24.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.9 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Wildcats allow 69.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 114th in the nation. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 66th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.3 rebounds a game which ranks 102nd, and they give up 13.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 206th place in the country. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 119th in college basketball. Kentucky averages 78.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 91st in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 8.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 32nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 124th in D-1. They average 38.5 rebounds per game and 14.7 assists per game, which ranks them 66th and 127th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 129th with 14.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Gamecocks surrender 65.1 points per contest, which ranks them 33rd in the country. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 72nd and 183rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 50th with 11.4 assists allowed per contest, and 68th with 32.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gamecocks are 294th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game this season. South Carolina is 265th in Division 1 with 70.9 points per game this year. They are 322nd in the country in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 5.8. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 283rd in the nation. They are 69th in college basketball in rebounding with 38.4 boards per game and 255th in assists per contest with 12.8. The Gamecocks are 141st in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 76th in the nation in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 97.9 is ranked 102nd. In terms of pace they are 146th in the country with 71.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 104th. As a team they are 99th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shots, ranking 346th in Division 1. Kentucky is 141st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 62nd in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

South Carolina is 154th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 19.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 80th in Division 1. The Gamecocks are 21st in the nation in defensive rating with 92.4, and their offensive rating of 100.6 is ranked 255th. They are 195th in D-1 in pace with 70.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 319th. As a unit they are 312th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 206th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Kentucky/South Carolina college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take South Carolina +3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald