The No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs (14-1, 2-0 SEC) welcome the No. 7 Kentucky Wildcats (12-3, 1-1) to Humphrey Coliseum Saturday. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Kentucky vs. Mississippi Stateodds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Kentucky, which is No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, lost to the unranked Georgia Bulldogs 82-69 Tuesday, closing as a 1.5-point road favorite. It has lost 2 of its last 4 games and dropped both true road games, one against Georgia and the other Dec. 3, 2024, against the Clemson Tigers. The Wildcats are 7-7-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Bulldogs beat the Vanderbilt Commodores 76-64 Tuesday, closing as 2.5-point road favorites. Sitting No. 13 in the coaches poll, Mississippi State has rattled off 8 straight wins, going 5-3 ATS. It is 9-6 ATS on the season. Mississippi State’s lone loss this season was an 87-77 defeat on a neutral court to the Butler Bulldogs Nov. 29, 2024.
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Kentucky at Mississippi State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 12:35 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kentucky +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Mississippi State -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Kentucky +5.5 (-110) | Mississippi State -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 161.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Kentucky at Mississippi State picks and predictions
Prediction
Mississippi State 80, Kentucky 77
Moneyline
PASS.
The Wildcats are the higher-ranked side, but have not shown much potential on the road. While Mississippi State is too expensive to take, Kentucky is too risky to back. Avoid a moneyline play.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY +5.5 (-110).
The Wildcats are among the most experienced teams in college hoops and have impressive wins over Gonzaga, Florida and Duke. They have covered 2 of their last 3 games and have their top 3 options on offense shooting over 49% from the field.
The Bulldogs have yet to be truly tested. They haven’t played a top-15 side this season and are just 2-3 ATS in their last 5 home games. Their top 2 weapons shoot under 43% from the field. Take the more efficient side to cover here, and expect a close battle.
Back KENTUCKY +5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 161.5 (-110).
The Bulldogs have a gritty defense and have allowed 73 or fewer points in 6 straight games, going 1-5 O/U. They have scored 80 or fewer in 6 of their 8 games that have closed with a single-digit spread this season.
Kentucky has gone Under in 3 of its last 4 games and struggled to consistently score on the road. It has gone Under in both road games and scored fewer than 70 points in each. Back UNDER 161.5 (-110).
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