Tigers After Another SEC Heavyweight
It’s not often that neither Kentucky nor LSU is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This isn’t one of the more effective offensive teams in LSU’s history, as the Tigers rank in the bottom half of Division I stats in points, rebounds, offensive rebounds, and free-throw percentage. The Tigers are holding opponents to 27.6% shooting beyond the arc. LSU is coming off a win over a top-10 Arkansas team and looks to secure another key SEC win.
Kentucky is among the top 15 teams in offensive rebounds, rebounds, and assists per game.
The Wildcats are 8-0 at home, while LSU has its first true road game of the season.
LSU remains without forward Corneilous Williams.
Kentucky fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll, but the Wildcats are tied with Iowa St. at No. 25 in the coaches’ poll.
According to the college basketball odds, Kentucky (+2000) is 10th (tied) in odds to win the national title.
Let’s check the latest march madness odds, stats, injury reports, and march madness lines for Louisiana St. vs Kentucky.
New Tiger Faces Impactful
It is hard to find a team, especially one in a Power-5 conference, that hasn’t dipped into the transfer portal.
First-season LSU coach Matt McMahon was busier than many of his peers in rebuilding the roster, as the top six scorers on this year’s team played on different Division I teams a season ago. Leading scorer KJ Williams (18 points, 8.4 rebounds), Justice Hill and Trae Hannibal accompanied McMahon (Murray State to LSU). Adam Miller (13 ppg) transferred via Illinois, while Cam Hayes (North Carolina St.) and Derek Fountain (Mississippi St.) also were imported.
That’s nearly 85% of LSU’s points this season.
LSU has covered against the college basketball odds in only two of its last eight.
Long-Distance ‘Cats
First thing that typically comes to people’s minds when the 2022-23 Kentucky team is mentioned is a national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe. He is certainly doing his part, contributing 16.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.
However, an area where Kentucky is showing the most growth is in its perimeter shooting. Kentucky shot 34.6% beyond the arc last season. They are currently connecting on 39% of their 3-pointers, despite just 4-of-13 in a rout of Louisville last out.
🗣️ “That’s winning basketball.”
One more look at our win against Louisville to round out 2022. pic.twitter.com/hdjLmtjvEe
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 3, 2023
Freshman Cason Wallace is making 47.5% of his 3-pointers, hitting half at home. Illinois St. transfer Antonio Reeves is better on 3-pointers (40.8%) than inside the arc (38.2%).
Kentucky’s failed to cover against the Las Vegas odds in each of its last seven.
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Game Injuries
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Head-to-Head
Kentucky has won six of the last eight against LSU, three of the wins by the Wildcats were decided by five or fewer points.
Kentucky has won 10 of the last 11 games in the series played in Rupp Arena.
The last two games in the series went under the total. Before that, nine of the previous 12 finished as “overs”. Kentucky is 9-1 over the last 10 when scoring at least 70 points. The Wildcats have dropped two of the last three when held under 70 points.
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Game Information
- Game: Louisiana State (12-1, 1-0 SEC) vs Kentucky (9-4, 0-1 SEC)
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Day/Time: Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, 8 p.m. ET
- Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Live stream: TBS.com
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Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Betting Lines
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Picks & Prediction
While neither Louisiana State nor Kentucky appeared in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, this is the type of game that can help teams change that.
Kentucky has won its last 10 home games, and will look to keep that trend going against a revamped LSU roster. The Tigers have covered in 10 of the last 15 against the ‘Cats.
The Wildcats are 9-2 when listed by the sportsbook as the favorite, while LSU is 2-1 as the underdog.
Half of Kentucky’s first eight games finished over the total (total set at 137½ here).
With so many new players on the LSU roster, it’s difficult to know how they will react during the Tigers’ first trip to Rupp. The nine-point line does seem a bit high, however. The line opened at 11 before the action on the Tigers.
Kentucky is listed at -525 in our Las Vegas college basketball lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Wildcats, you have a chance to win $19. Louisiana St. is +405, offering a chance to win $405 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Kentuky a 84.00% chance to win, with the Tigers at 19.80%.
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Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Trends
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Edge
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Results
Louisiana St. vs Kentucky Game Summary
