Auburn at Kentucky Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 2/23/2019

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Rupp Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Auburn Tigers travel to Rupp Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Kentucky as 7 point favorites.

Auburn heads into this matchup with a mark of 18-8. They currently have a point differential of 14.2 as they are averaging 81.6 points per contest while giving up 67.4 per game. Kentucky has an overall mark of 22-4. They are averaging 78.2 points per contest and giving up 65.3, which is a point differential of 12.8.

Valuable Auburn Tigers Betting Trends

The Auburn Tigers are 13-11-1 against the spread

The Auburn Tigers are 12-12-1 against the over/under

Important Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 14-11-1 against the spread

The Kentucky Wildcats are 10-16-0 against the over/under

Key Auburn Tigers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

12/14/18 G Quade Green Transferred is out for season
02/22/19 F Reid Travis Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Auburn

Player Spotlight

Bryce Brown comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. Jared Harper averages 15.2 points per game in 33.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.1 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

PJ Washington averages 14.9 points per game while playing 28.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.0 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Keldon Johnson averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Auburn averages 81.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 14.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 128th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 40th in the nation. They average 37.0 rebounds per game and 15.1 assists per game, which ranks them 100th and 64th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 154th with 13.3 per game. The Tigers allow 67.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 75th in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 79th and 156th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 175th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 76th place in Division 1. They force 18.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 347th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky is 57th in the country with 78.2 points per game this year. They are 37th in Division 1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 12.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 127th in the nation. They are 36th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.8 boards per game, and 133rd in assists per contest with 14.0. The Wildcats are 212th in turnovers per game with 12.8. The Wildcats surrender 65.3 points per contest, which ranks them 40th in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 38th and 224th in those defensive statistics. They rank 35th with 11.0 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 29.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 227th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Tigers are 13th in the nation in offensive rating with 114.1. In terms of pace they are 115th in the country with 70.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 50th. As a team they are 69th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 47% of their shots, ranking 13th in Division 1. Auburn is 233rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Kentucky is 210th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 113.2, which is ranked 22nd. They are 224th in D-1 in pace with 68.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 94th. As a unit they are 46th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 334th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Kentucky -7

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