Ohio State vs Kentucky Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 12/21/2019

Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Kentucky +1

Total/Over-Under: 132.5

The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to T-Mobile Arena to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, December 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Ohio State as 1 point favorites.

Ohio State comes into this game with an overall record of 10-1. They currently have a point differential of 23.2 as they are averaging 79.9 points per game while giving up 56.7 per contest. Kentucky has an overall record of 8-2. They are averaging 75.4 points per game and surrendering 60.2, good for a point differential of 15.2.

Valuable Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 9-2-0 against the spread

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 4-7-0 against the over/under

Important Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats are 4-6-0 against the spread

The Kentucky Wildcats are 3-7-0 against the over/under

Key Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

12/16/19 G Duane Washington Jr. Ribs is questionable Tuesday vs SE Missouri St
11/05/19 G Musa Jallow Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

12/19/19 F Ben Jordan Head is questionable
11/28/19 F Nate Sestina Wrist is out indefinitely
11/07/19 G Dontaie Allen Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kaleb Wesson comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 25.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Duane Washington Jr. averages 11.4 points per game in 22.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

Ashton Hagans averages 13.9 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Tyrese Maxey averages 12.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 3.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ohio State averages 79.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 40th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 23.2 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 42% which is good for 5th in the nation. They average 40.7 rebounds per game and 15.8 assists per game, which ranks them 32nd and 54th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 229th with 13.0 per game. The Buckeyes allow 56.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the country. They also allow a 35% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 54th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 60th and they give up 8.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in Division 1. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 143rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Kentucky is 115th in the country with 75.4 points per game this year. They are 66th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 15.2. They shoot 28% from 3-point range, which is good for 330th in the nation. They are 75th in the NCAA in rebounding with 39.0 boards per game, and 68th in assists per contest with 15.3. The Wildcats are 240th in turnovers per game with 12.8. The Wildcats surrender 60.2 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in D-1. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 85th in those defensive statistics. They rank 62nd with 10.6 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 30.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 141st in country in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Buckeyes have an offensive rating of 117.4, which is ranked 4th. They are 273rd in college basketball in pace with 68.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 58% is 6th. As a unit they are 6th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 90th in D-1. Ohio State is 195th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Kentucky is 244th 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 107.4, which is ranked 75th. They are 193rd in D-1 in pace with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 167th. As a unit they are 78th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 341st in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Kentucky +1

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