South Carolina at Kentucky NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/5/2019

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Rupp Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Rupp Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Kentucky as 18 point favorites.

South Carolina comes into this game with an overall record of 11-10. They currently have a point differential of 1.2 as they are averaging 75.2 points per game while giving up 74.0 per contest. Kentucky has an overall mark of 18-3. They are averaging 79.2 points per contest and giving up 65.9, which is a point differential of 13.3.

Valuable South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 8-12-0 against the spread

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 15-5-0 against the over/under

Important Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 12-9-0 against the spread

The Kentucky Wildcats are 9-12-0 against the over/under

Key South Carolina Gamecocks Injuries

12/19/18 G T.J. Moss Ankle is out for season
11/06/18 G Jermaine Cousinard Academics is out indefinitely
02/01/19 F Justin Minaya Knee is out indefinitely
01/13/19 F Jason Cudd Knee is out indefinitely

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Chris Silva comes into this contest averaging 14.1 points per game while playing 25.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. A.J. Lawson averages 13.2 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%.

Player Spotlight

Keldon Johnson averages 14.3 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Tyler Herro averages 13.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

South Carolina averages 75.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 127th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 1.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 241st. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 260th in the nation. They average 36.8 rebounds per game and 12.8 assists per game, which ranks them 115th and 235th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 115th with 13.9 per game. The Gamecocks allow 74.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 244th in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 97th and 249th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.3 rebounds a game which ranks 246th and they give up 12.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 121st place in Division 1. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 295th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky is 49th in the country with 79.2 points per game this year. They are 34th in Division 1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 13.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 116th in the nation. They are 41st in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.9 boards per game, and 116th in assists per contest with 14.4. The Wildcats are 180th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Wildcats surrender 65.9 points per contest, which ranks them 46th in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 45th and 265th in those defensive statistics. They rank 43rd with 11.2 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 29.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 254th in country in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Gamecocks have an offensive rating of 103, which is ranked 203rd. They are 62nd in college basketball in pace with 72.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 282nd. As a unit they are 258th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 280th in D-1. South Carolina is 178th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Kentucky is 192nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.1 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 112.9, which is ranked 25th. They are 190th in D-1 in pace with 69.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 84th. As a unit they are 40th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 336th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Kentucky -18

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