Utah at Kentucky College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Rupp Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Utah Utes head to Rupp Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this game has Kentucky as 13.5 point favorites.

Utah heads into this matchup with a mark of 4-4. They currently have a point differential of 0.8 as they are averaging 72.6 points per contest while giving up 71.9 per game. Kentucky has an overall mark of 7-2. They are averaging 84.2 points per contest and giving up 71.3, which is a point differential of 12.9.

Valuable Utah Utes Betting Trends

The Utah Utes are 2-6-0 against the spread this season

The Utah Utes are 3-4-1 against the over/under this year

Important Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 3-6-0 against the spread this season

The Kentucky Wildcats are 4-5-0 against the over/under this year

Key Utah Utes Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

12/14/18 G Quade Green Personal is questionable Saturday vs Utah U

Player Spotlight

Sedrick Barefield comes into this game averaging 14.0 points per contest while playing 30.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 1.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is 88%. Donnie Tillman averages 11.4 points per contest in 28.8 minutes per game. He averages 1.5 assists per game and 6.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Keldon Johnson scores 15.4 points per contest while playing 31.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.0 rebounds per contest and has 1.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Reid Travis averages 14.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 26.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.8 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah averages 72.6 points per contest, which is 230th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 185th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 123rd in the nation. They average 34.5 boards per contest and 14.1 assists per game, which ranks them 263rd and 155th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 231st with 12.8 per game. The Utes allow 71.9 points per contest, which is 192nd in the NCAA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 247th and 187th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 32.6 rebounds a game which ranks 74th, and they allow 14.1 assists per game which puts them in 247th place in the country. They force 11.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky is 24th in the nation with 84.2 points per contest this season. They are 39th in the country in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 12.9. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 201st in the NCAA. They are 23rd in D-1 in rebounding with 41.4 boards per contest and 156th in assists per game with 14.1. The Wildcats are 68th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Wildcats give up 71.3 points per game, which ranks them 178th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 40% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 150th and 341st in those defensive statistics. They rank 127th with 12.2 dimes allowed per game and 1st with 26.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Wildcats are 212th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Utes are 123rd in the nation in offensive rating with 108.2. In terms of pace they are 322nd in the country with 67.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 125th. As a team they are 106th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 28th in Division 1. Utah is 165th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Kentucky is 102nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.6 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 115, which is ranked 26th. They are 130th in D-1 in pace with 72.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 116th. As a unit they are 32nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 337th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Utah +13.5

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