-Betting-Odds.jpg "2016-LSU-at-Kentucky-(CBS)-Betting-Odds")
The SEC is very likely the worst of the major conferences in the nation this year. The true testament to that? The LSU Tigers can still win a share of the regular season conference crown with a win on Sunday over the Kentucky Wildcats, though that victory won't necessarily put them on the right side of the bubble heading into next week's conference tournament.
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SCHEDULING
This game means everything to LSU and not a heck of a lot to Kentucky. Sure, the Wildcats have to play well in the SEC Tournament to move up in the bracket, but it's not like this game is going to decide their season.
Instead, it's the Bayou Bengals who have the most to play for, and live bettors shouldn't forget that fact. LSU is definitively on the wrong side of the bubble right now, and losing this game could make it so it has to win the conference tournament next week to dance.
Both of these teams played on Tuesday night, so fatigue shouldn't be an issue. Kentucky continued its annual dominance of Florida with an 88-79 triumph while LSU kept its tourney dreams alive by avoiding a potential landmine game at home against Missouri.
KEY MATCHUP
The Tigers absolutely have to defend on the perimeter in this game. They've gotten into a lot of trouble by allowing teams to shoot 35.3 percent from beyond the arc, and Kentucky can certainly take advantage of that. The Wildcats only made seven threes in the first meeting of the year, but when they got blown out in that game, they were still busy trying to take advantage of their bigs instead of playing to their strengths with their guards.
Now, Kentucky has a bit different identity, and we think it's for the better in this game. Jamal Murray, Tyler Ulis and Isaiah Briscoe are carrying this team to the NCAA Tournament, and they'll have to carry this team to a win in this game as well. LSU's backcourt defense has been shoddy at best without the injured Keith Hornsby, and live bettors will have to be aware of the fact that UK threes could be raining all over the place at Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon.
KEY STATS & TRENDS
The home/away splits here have to be disturbing for live bettors. The Tigers have been awful all season long on the road, and though they did just win a pair of home games to stay alive for March Madness, they're also just 2-8 ATS on the road this year and have looked like they've given less than 100 percent when the opposing crowd starts to get on their case.
Kentucky is only 9-7 ATS at home, but it has some huge wins here. The SEC really only has a handful of teams capable of being in the NCAA Tournament at this point, and Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Vandy have all come to Rupp Arena and walked out with losses both from an SU and an ATS standpoint. In fact, at home, the Wildcats are 5-0 ATS this season against teams which are at least possibilities for the NCAA Tournament from major conferences.
Keep an eye on Skal Labissiere and Alex Poythress in this game. These two men were both crucial to beating Florida, as they combined for 23 points and 18 boards. Both have been brutally disappointing this year, but maybe now that they're in the starting five together, they could provide the spark this team needs to get back to dominance. Live bettors should certainly take note of how well the starters play together, and if they're anywhere near as good as a unit as they were against Florida at the outset of this game, any time they're set to be on the court together, fire away with live wagers.
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The LSU Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats will square off Saturday, March 5, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
