Florida A&M vs Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Kentucky Looking To Rebound Versus Visiting Florida A&M
Wildcats Coming Off Weekend Loss
The No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats try to avoid a second straight loss when they host the Florida A&M Rattlers in a non-conference contest on Wednesday night. Kentucky had its four-game win streak snapped with a loss to UCLA on Saturday and is looking to stay undefeated at home this season. Florida A&M has dropped three of its last four, including a pair of losses to SEC schools Florida and Georgia, and has yet to win a game on the road in 2022-23. The outcome of this one may seem easy to predict, but check out our in-depth preview of this contest before you make any bet online.
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, injury reports, and lines for Florida A&M vs Kentucky. We’ve got plenty of NCAA basketball odds for you to consider.
Florida A&M Puts Up Fight In Loss
The Florida A&M Rattlers suffered their seventh loss in as many road games this season on Saturday, but they didn’t go quietly against Louisville. Despite the Cardinals leading by as many as 10 points early in the second half, the Rattlers rallied to tie the game and ended up falling 61-55.
Florida A&M has struggled to score this season as the team averages 54.9 points per game. The Rattlers are connecting on 35.4% of their field-goal attempts, including 26.8% from 3-point range.
Junior guard Jordan Tillmon leads the way with 10 points per game. He had 17 in the loss to Louisville and has averaged 13 over the last three contests.
Junior forward Jaylen Bates is right behind Tillmon at 9.6 points per game and leads the Rattlers with 7.1 rebounds per contest. Bates will have his hands full against the taller Kentucky front line and must stay out of foul trouble in this one.
Kentucky Still Trying To Find Right Combo
The Kentucky Wildcats have played well at the beginning of the season, but they already have three losses before Christmas. Coach John Calipari continues to tinker with his lineup. He made a switch in the starting five for the second half against UCLA on Saturday, moving freshman Chris Livingston and junior Lance Ware onto the floor.
“We needed toughness on the floor,” Calipari said after Saturday’s loss. “When (UCLA) started bullying us a little bit, the game slipped.”
The move wasn’t enough to bring Kentucky a victory, but it showed that, despite its depth, the team is still a work in progress. Only forward Jacob Toppin and guard Cason Wallace have started all 10 games this season.
Senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe is looking like the player who won the National Player of the Year a season ago. Tshiebwe is averaging 15.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, leading the Wildcats in each category.
Senior guard Antonio Reeves has been an offensive spark plug, averaging 13.1 points in 25.2 minutes per game, splitting his appearances between starts and coming off the bench. The Illinois State transfer leads the Wildcats with 29 3-pointers, hitting 45.3% from beyond the arc.
Florida A&M vs Kentucky Game Injuries
Florida A&M vs Kentucky Head-To-Head
The Kentucky Wildcats won their only other meeting with the Florida A&M Rattlers, topping the SWAC school 96-76 in the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Not surprisingly, the college basketball lines for Wednesday’s contest expect a similar result, with the Wildcats heavily favored to stay unbeaten at home.
Florida A&M vs Kentucky Information
- Game: Florida A&M (2-7) vs Kentucky (7-3)
- Location: Rupp Arena
- Day/Time: Wednesday, December 21, 7 p.m. ET
- Florida A&M vs Kentucky Live Stream: TBS.com
Florida A&M vs Kentucky Betting Lines
Florida A&M vs Kentucky Picks & Prediction
The Kentucky Wildcats are getting themselves ready for the SEC portion of their schedule, and they’re going to do their best to take care of the Florida A&M Rattlers quickly. The Wildcats will apply a lot of defensive pressure to try to take control of this game in a hurry and cruise to a victory
When making your college basketball picks, take Kentucky to win at home.
