There’s No ‘L’ in Lexington for Kentucky
The SEC race is going to be one to a. Kentucky is just a game behind first-place Auburn, a half-game ahead of both Arkansas and Tennessee. A misstep could send the Wildcats plummeting down a spot or two.
Something to consider for those who bet online is Kentucky, at 16-0, is one of three SEC teams still undefeated at home. LSU, meanwhile, is only 3-6 on the road.
LSU leads the SEC with 11.3 steals per game. The Tigers were right on that number-11 steals-in their early January home win against Kentucky.
Kentucky (+650) is second to Gonzaga in the odds to win the national championship, according to the March Madness predictions. LSU is at +7500.
Eason on a Tiger Tear
Louisiana State’s Tari Eason often flies under the radar in the star-studded Southeastern Conference, but it’s pretty hard to ignore what he has been doing in recent games.
Eason has scored at least 21 points in each of his last four games, averaging 22½ points (58% shooting) during that stretch to go along with 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
Granted, those performances came against teams in the bottom half of the conference standings. It’s a different challenge facing Kentucky, against whom Eason had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists in the first meeting.
Wasting little time making an impact after transferring in from Cincinnati, Eason went from averaging 7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game to 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds (in 24.8 minutes) for LSU. In four games against ranked opponents, he’s averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds.
LSU is 2-7 against the Las Vegas odds in its last nine games.
Wildcats’ Tshiebwe Continues Delivering
It would have taken a bit of time to find the name of Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe on a Player of the Year list when the season started.
The 6-foot-9 forward showed the ability to rebound in the 41 games he played at West Virginia during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. He also averaged 10.6 points per contest while shooting 54.5% for the Mountaineers.
It has been a much different story since arriving at Kentucky. He had 17 points and 20 rebounds against a top-10-ranked Duke team in his first game for the Wildcats. He’s had at least 20 rebounds five times as the leading rebounder (15.2 rpg) in the country. That’s not the only category Tshiebwe’s leading, as he owns the lowest odds (+125) to be named Player of the Year. He’s also averaging 16.4 points while starting all 27 games.
Will Wade on Kentucky: “16-0 on the year at home. Oscar (Tshiebwe) is playing as well as anyone in the country. We’ve got a big task ahead of us, so let’s see if we can rise to the occasion.”
— Harrison Valentine (@HValentineLSU) February 22, 2022
Tshiebwe was held under 10 points in just four games this season, though one of them came in the earlier loss at LSU (eight points, 13 rebounds in 29 minutes).
According to the March Madness odds, Kentucky has the third-best chance to reach the Final Four at +155. LSU comes in at +1500.
The college basketball spreads total has gone over in nine of Kentucky’s last 13 games against LSU.
Louisiana State Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats Head-to-Head
Louisiana State is looking to sweep the regular-season series against Kentucky for the first time since 1988-89 after winning, 65-60. at home Jan. 4th as two-point favorites.
Kentucky has won six of the last seven contests when LSU comes to town, though the Tigers won, 73-71, in 2019.
LSU hasn’t won back-to-back games against Kentucky since 2009, while five of the last six games in the series have been decided by five points or less.
Louisiana State vs Kentucky Game Information
- Game: Louisiana State (19-8) at Kentucky (22-5)
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 23rd, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Louisiana State Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats Betting Lines
Louisiana State Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats Prediction
Kentucky was without starting guards TyTy Washington (the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer) and Sahvir Wheeler (SEC leader in assists per game) in the last game and both are considered questionable here. If they can’t go, that would help LSU stay with the favored Wildcats or even possibly spring the surprise. However, Kentucky should control this game, even if shorthanded again.
Adaptability a key for Kentucky with the availability of guards Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington still in doubt. #BBN @JerryTipton @BenRobertsHL https://t.co/8KwWcib0HN
— Lexington Herald-Leader (@heraldleader) February 23, 2022
Ten of LSU’s last 12 games have been decided by single digits, so all these tough games could come into play if the Tigers can stay within range.
Kentucky has won 17 consecutive home games, but failed to cover in seven, so the 7½-point line gives LSU backers some comfort.
Kentucky was a No. 2 seed when the NCAA selection committee recently released its top 16 teams for the March Madness bracket, so there’s more on the line for the Wildcats than just staying close to Auburn in the SEC race.
Seven of LSU’s last eight games have gone over the total. This number is 142½ seems like a reasonable number for those who bet online and the game is trending toward going over that total.
