UNC Wilmington Seahawks vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 12/2/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UNC Wilmington Seahawks vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

TV: ESPN+

The Kentucky Wildcats (6-1) will play the UNC Wilmington Seahawks (5-1) at Rupp Arena on Saturday.

The UNC Wilmington Seahawks stepped onto the hardwood against Florida Gulf Coast and walked away with a win by a score of 71-55 in their last game. UNC Wilmington ended the contest with a 47.2% field goal percentage (25 out of 53) and converted 8 of 21 shots from distance. At the charity stripe, the Seahawks buried 13 of 15 attempts for a rate of 86.7%. In terms of pulling down boards, they collected 30 with 6 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 11 dimes for the matchup as well as forcing the opposition into 13 turnovers and having 5 steals. In the matter of defense, UNC Wilmington allowed their opponent to shoot 35.3% from the floor on 18 of 51 shooting. Florida Gulf Coast dished out 6 dimes and had 6 steals for the matchup. Additionally, Florida Gulf Coast grabbed 25 rebounds (8 offensive, 17 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Florida Gulf Coast finished the contest at 66.7% when shooting free throws by converting 14 of their 21 attempts. They also knocked down 5 of their 16 shots from beyond the perimeter. In reference to fouls, the Seahawks ended up walking away with 20 while Florida Gulf Coast recorded 16 fouls.

Trazarien White is one guy who was a major factor in the matchup. He ended up shooting 69.2% from the floor and also totaled 3 assists. He was on the hardwood for 28 mins played and collected 5 rebounds. He totaled 22 points on 9 out of 13 shooting.

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UNC Wilmington heads into this one with a mark of 5-1 this year. They have an average of 85.7 points per game (26th in D-1) while hitting 48.8% from the field. The Seahawks are hitting 43.5% on shots from 3-point land (60 of 138) and 76.0% from the charity stripe. As a team, UNC Wilmington is grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game and has racked up 76 dimes so far this season, which is 291st in college hoops in terms of passing the ball. They are losing possession via turnover 10.3 times per contest and as a unit they are committing 16.7 fouls every game.

When they are on the defensive end, the Seahawks have forced 14.0 turnovers every game while drawing 18.2 personal fouls. They are relinquishing 33.9% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are 208th in college basketball in PPG from their opponents (72.3). The Seahawks are giving up a shooting percentage of 46.5% (165 of 355) and they surrender 34.8 boards per game as a group. They are 182nd in college hoops in allowing assists to the opposition with 86 conceded on the campaign.

When they last stepped on the court, the Kentucky Wildcats went home victorious with a score of 95-73 when they faced Miami. The Wildcats pulled down 23 defensive boards and 6 offensive rebounds for a total of 29 in the matchup. They coughed up the ball 7 times, while getting 9 steals for the matchup. Miami was called for 15 personal fouls in this matchup which got the Wildcats to the charity stripe for 17 tries. They were able to knock down 12 of the free throws for a rate of 70.6%. In the matter of shots from beyond the arc, Kentucky made 9 of 21 tries (42.9%). Overall, the Wildcats went 37 for 62 from the field which gave them a percentage of 59.7%. The Wildcats permitted Miami to convert 26 of their 59 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 44.1% in this contest. They went 26.3% from distance via 5 of 19 and finished the contest at 16 out of 21 at the free throw line (76.2%). In the matter of how they attacked the glass, Kentucky allowed Miami to collect 32 overall (10 offensive).

Reed Sheppard ended up being a factor for the Wildcats in the matchup. He recorded 21 points in his 30 mins on the court and accumulated 4 assists for this contest. He buried 8 out of 13 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 61.5%, and accumulated 5 rebounds.

Kentucky has a record of 6-1 for the campaign. The Wildcats have committed 13.6 fouls per game and they hit 73.0% from the charity stripe. They are dishing out assists 20.9 times per contest (6th in college basketball) and they turn it over 8.1 times per contest. Kentucky has tallied 661 points on the year (94.4 per contest) and they snag 37.1 rebounds per game. When it comes to offense, the Wildcats are hitting on 51.8% from the field, which ranks 11th in Division 1.

The Wildcats on the defensive side of the court are 206th in college hoops in points allowed per contest with 72.3. They are able to force 15.0 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 41.1% from the field (126th in college hoops). The Kentucky defense concedes 32.3% on 3-point shots (61 of 189) and opponents are making 70.8% of their shots from the charity stripe. They relinquish 14.9 assists and 36.4 boards on a nightly basis, which ranks 313th and 240th in Division 1.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Kentucky

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