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Howard vs Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Wildcats Huge Favorites in Season Opener
Wildcats Open Short-Handed
The No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats begin their 2022-23 campaign on Monday night when they host the Howard Bison at Rupp Arena. Kentucky is coming off a 26-8 campaign that ended with a first-round upset loss to St. Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament. Howard is coming off a 16-13 campaign, which included a second-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This may seem like a mismatch, but before you do any betting online on this contest, make sure to check out our in-depth preview of the teams’ season opener.
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, and injury reports for Howard vs Kentucky.
Howard Leaning on Returnees in Early Going
Howard is feeling pretty good going into the opener of the 2022-23 college basketball season despite who their opponent is. Howard has many solid returnees back as well as a pair of transfers that coach Kenneth Blakeney is hoping will fit in well.
Junior Steve Settle III will be a solid presence in the post for the Bison after averaging 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game a season ago. At 6 feet 10, Settle gives the Bison some length on the interior. He had 22 blocks in 29 games in 2021-22.
Sophomore Elijah Hawkins runs the point for the Bison and is coming off a MEAC Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021-22. The 5-foot-11 Hawkins averaged 13 points and led the MEAC with 5.6 assists per game while also recording 2.3 steals per contest.
Maryland transfer Marcus Dockery could provide some solid shooting from the perimeter for the Bison.
Kentucky Missing a Few Players
Kentucky has plenty of depth on its roster, and they’re going to need it in the early going of the season. As many as three starters could be missing for this contest, with the biggest absence likely to be preseason All-American Oscar Tshiebwe, who is still coming back from a knee procedure in the offseason.
“I would be stunned if he played Monday,” Kentucky coach John Calipari told the media about Tshiebwe’s likely absence. “I would be somewhat surprised if he played Friday (against Duquesne).”
The 6-9 senior averaged 17.4 points and led the nation in rebounding with 15.1 per game in 2021-22, winning the Wooden Award.
Starting point guard Sahvir Wheeler is a game-time decision against Howard because of a knee injury. Wheeler averaged 10.1 points and 6.9 assists last season. Kentucky will also be missing Daimion Collins, whose father passed away last week.
The Wildcats will have five-star freshmen Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston playing some major minutes in this one, while senior Jacob Toppin (6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds) will also play a leading role.
Howard vs Kentucky Game Injuries
Howard vs Kentucky Head-To-Head
This will be the first meeting. The college basketball lines for Monday’s contest are heavily favoring the host Wildcats to come away with the win.
Howard vs Kentucky Game Information
- Game: Howard Bison vs Kentucky Wildcats
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
- Day/Time: Monday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Howard vs Kentucky Live Stream: TBS.com
Howard vs Kentucky Betting Lines
| Team | PointSpread | Total | Team Total |
| Howard | +25½ -110 | O 146½ -110 | O 60½ -115
U 60½ -115 |
| Kentucky | -25½ -110 | U 146½ -110 | O 86 -115 U 86 -115 |
The odds in this chart are based on the time of publication. They are subject to change.
Howard vs Kentucky Prediction
Howard isn’t going to be seeing the usual starters for Kentucky, but that shouldn’t matter as the Wildcats should have an easy time in this one. Look for Kentucky to take control early and win going away.
When making your college basketball picks, take Kentucky to win and cover at home.
