Kentucky at Mississippi State NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/9/2019

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Humphrey Coliseum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Kentucky Wildcats travel to Humphrey Coliseum to play the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Kentucky as 3 point favorites.

Kentucky comes into this game with an overall record of 19-3. They currently have a point differential of 14.0 as they are averaging 79.0 points per game while giving up 65.1 per contest. Mississippi State has an overall record of 16-6. They are averaging 79.0 points per game and surrendering 71.3, good for a point differential of 7.7.

Valuable Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 13-9-0 against the spread

The Kentucky Wildcats are 9-13-0 against the over/under

Important Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Trends

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are 10-12-0 against the spread

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are 13-9-0 against the over/under

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

12/14/18 G Quade Green Transferred is out for season

Key Mississippi State Bulldogs Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Keldon Johnson comes into this contest averaging 14.0 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. PJ Washington averages 13.8 points per game in 28.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 8.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

Quinndary Weatherspoon averages 18.0 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Lamar Peters averages 12.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 1.7 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 62%.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky averages 79.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 51st in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 14.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 39th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 121st in the nation. They average 39.4 rebounds per game and 14.2 assists per game, which ranks them 32nd and 122nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 177th with 13.2 per game. The Wildcats allow 65.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 37th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 37th and 248th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 29.4 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 11.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 40th place in Division 1. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 263rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Mississippi State is 53rd in the country with 79.0 points per game this year. They are 45th in Division 1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.7. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 66th in the nation. They are 127th in the NCAA in rebounding with 36.5 boards per game, and 74th in assists per contest with 15.0. The Bulldogs are 139th in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Bulldogs surrender 71.3 points per contest, which ranks them 183rd in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 209th and 228th in those defensive statistics. They rank 98th with 12.0 assists allowed per contest and 39th with 31.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulldogs are 209th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 25th in the nation in offensive rating with 112.8. In terms of pace they are 186th in the country with 69.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 103rd. As a team they are 51st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 337th in Division 1. Kentucky is 196th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Mississippi State is 165th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions. The Bulldogs have an offensive rating of 112.3, which is ranked 31st. They are 190th in D-1 in pace with 69.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 44th. As a unit they are 47th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 152nd in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Mississippi State +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 Guy Bruhn