The Kentucky Wildcats are usually gearing up for a deep NCAA Tournament at this time of year. Judging by the way they are playing, more than a win or two in March Madness would be unlikely at this point. Kentucky will look to break out of a funk next time out but faces a tough test when it hits the road for a matchup against top-10 foe the Auburn Tigers.
Kentucky is usually the team at the top of the standings in the SEC but Auburn currently sits two games ahead of the rest of the pack. The Tigers are staring down a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and can further bolster their resume with a win over the WIldcats.
Even though Kentucky unquestionably has talent, it will be a significant underdog in this matchup.
At 9 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN2 for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at Auburn Arena.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Wednesday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Kentucky is 17-8 straight up and 10-15 against the spread on the season. The Wildcats have covered in three of their seven games on the road this season. Kentucky has been the underdog in five games on the year and has covered in a pair of them. The Wildcats have failed to cover in four consecutive games.
Auburn is 22-3 straight up and 17-6 against the spread. The Tigers have covered in eight of 11 games at home on the season. Auburn is 15-6 against the spread as the favorite this season.
Injury Report
Auburn’s leading scorer, Bryce Brown, missed the team’s last game with a shoulder strain. The Tigers won that one but would love to have him back in this one. His status is unknown and something to watch closely as the game gets close.
The Tigers have several players that have the ability to lead the way but Brown is often the one that jumpstarts the offense. He leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game while adding 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.
Brown is shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from three-point range. Brown injured his shoulder in a loss to Texas A&M after playing just 15 minutes. He had 25 points and 23 in the two games previous.
Key Stat
3. That’s the number of losses in a row for Kentucky, which is the most ever in the excellent coaching tenure of John Calipari. Kentucky is a perennial national championship contender but is no longer ranked and has not looked good of late.
The Wildcats seemed to have things turned around when they upset West Virginia on the road, but this losing streak began with a loss on the road to Missouri. They headed home and fell in a close one to Tennessee and then was knocked off last time out by Texas A&M.
Kentucky started the season strong but is only 6-6 in conference play when the level of competition has increased. The Wildcats are in real danger of dropping below .500 in the SEC with a loss in this matchup.
Free NCAA Men’s Basketball ATS Picks
If Brown can’t go, that’s a big boon for Kentucky’s chances. Look for this one to be close throughout. Even though the Wildcats have been struggling lately, they have enough talent to pull off this upset.
Take Kentucky to go on the road and pick up a critical win. It should pay off nicely on the moneyline as the Wildcats will undoubtedly be underdogs. The “over” is a consideration since each team is willing to play at a fast pace.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Kentucky 87, Auburn 84
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