LSU Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 1/3/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: LSU Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

TV: ESPN

The LSU Tigers (12-1) are traveling to Rupp Arena on Tuesday where they will compete against the Kentucky Wildcats (9-4).

The LSU Tigers faced Arkansas and went home with a win by a final score of 60-57 in their last game. LSU ended the contest having earned a 40.3% field goal percentage (25 out of 62) and buried 4 of their 17 three-point attempts. At the charity stripe, the Tigers converted 6 of 12 tries for a rate of 50.0%. With regard to rebounding, they compiled a total of 35 with 8 of them being offensive. They also recorded 9 assists for this contest while forcing 10 turnovers and having 6 steals. With respect to the defense, LSU allowed their opponent to shoot 36.9% from the field on 24 of 65 shooting. Arkansas distributed 7 assists and had 8 steals in this matchup. Additionally, Arkansas totaled 42 rebounds (13 offensive, 29 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Arkansas finished shooting 50.0% at the charity stripe by burying 5 of their 10 tries. They converted 4 of their 25 attempts from long range. In reference to personal fouls, the Tigers finished with 13 and Arkansas had 14 personal fouls.

Trae Hannibal is one player who was a factor in the matchup. He ended up finishing with 19 points on 9 out of 14 shooting. He played for 22 minutes played and totaled 6 rebounds. He finished the game at 64.3% from the field and totaled 2 assists.

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LSU enters this matchup with a mark of 12-1 on the season. They average 72.0 pts per contest (182nd in the nation) while hitting 45.8% from the floor. The Tigers are shooting 35.0% on shots beyond the perimeter (96 of 274) and 68.9% from the free throw line. As a team, LSU is grabbing 35.5 boards per game and is sitting with 179 assists for the year, which has them ranked 245th in college hoops in terms of passing the ball. They cough up possession 12.7 times per game and as a squad they are committing 16.3 fouls every game.

On defense, the Tigers are forcing their opponents into 14.6 turnovers per game while drawing 17.0 fouls. They give up 27.6% on 3-pointers and they are ranked 55th in college basketball in points per game from their opponents (63.4). The Tigers defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 41.6% (307 of 738) and they concede 33.2 boards per game as a team. They are 41st in D-1 in giving up assists to the opposition with 142 relinquished on the season.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Kentucky Wildcats got the victory with a final of 86-63 when they faced Louisville. In the matter of rebounds, Kentucky allowed Louisville to grab 20 overall (8 offensive). They finished 15.4% from downtown via 2 of 13 and finished the contest at 17 of 23 at the free throw line (73.9%). The Wildcats permitted Louisville to convert 22 of their 47 tries from the field which had them at 46.8% for the contest. At the conclusion of this game, the Wildcats finished the game shooting 33 for 55 from the floor which had them sitting at 60.0%. Concerning shooting from distance, Kentucky buried 4 out of 13 attempts (30.8%). They were able to bury 16 of those for a rate of 64.0%. Louisville committed 18 personal fouls for this game which got the Wildcats to the free throw line for a total of 25 tries. They gave up possession of the ball 12 times, while getting 7 steals for the game. The Wildcats were able to pull down 18 defensive boards and 13 offensive boards totaling 31 for this game.

Jacob Toppin ended up being a factor for the Wildcats in this matchup. He made 10 out of 15 in this contest for a field goal rate of 66.7%, and had 7 rebounds. He earned 24 points in his 35 mins on the court and had 2 assists for the contest.

Kentucky has a win-loss mark of 9-4 for the campaign. The Wildcats are committing 15.6 fouls per game and they hit 65.9% from the free throw line. They are dishing out assists 17.8 times per contest (16th in college basketball) and they turn the ball over 12.4 times per contest. Kentucky has scored 1,027 pts this year (79.0 per contest) and they collect 40.1 rebounds per game. On the offensive side of the court, the Wildcats are shooting 47.0% from the field, which is 73rd in Division 1.

The Wildcats are ranked 114th in college basketball in points allowed per game with 66.2. They are able to force 13.3 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 41.0% from the floor (95th in D-1). The Kentucky defense gives up 32.9% on 3-point attempts (85 of 258) and opponents are knocking down 72.1% of their free throw shots. They have given up 10.8 assists and 31.7 rebounds on a nightly basis, which is 55th and 57th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Kentucky

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