Kentucky Wildcat basketball fans spent most of this season moping over what appeared to be mediocrity. For U of K fans anything less than a Final Four is a wasted year. Out of nowhere coach John Calipari has Kentucky back into championship form. Once again, the Wildcats have the look of a Blue Blood marquee program. Little was expected from Kansas State with betting lines NCAA basketball. However, coach Bruce Weber has K-State in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in eight years. Only one of these two Wildcats gets out alive Thursday night.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Date and Time: Thursday, March 22, 2018, 8:37 p.m. Eastern
Location: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | +5½ (-110) | 138½ (-110) |  |
| Kentucky | -5½ (-110) | 138½ (-110) | |
| |||
Kansas State vs. Kentucky TV Coverage: CBS
Kentucky
The Wildcats was a consistent betting lines NCAA basketball overlay for most of the season. But now they are one of the hottest teams on the board. With nine payouts in their last ten games profits are building rapidly. U of K scored payouts over Davidson and Buffalo in the first two rounds. Shai Gilgeous Alexander pumped in 27 points in the 95-75 win over Buffalo. Hamidou Diallo added 22 more for the Cats. Wenyen Gabriel powered for 12 rebounds in the payout. Following a lackluster regular season Kentucky won the SEC tournament. Momentum is clearly on their side.
Kansas State
Kansas State had a similar online wagering pattern this season. Regular season play saw them as a sluggish value. Spring has sprung covers in six of K-State’s last ten games. Over the total has cleared in just three of the Wildcats last nine games. KSU finished 10-8 straight up in Big 12 regular season play. As a result not much was expected for March Madness. A strong 69-59 win over Creighton garnered attention. Luckily K-State drew #16 seed UMBC in the second round. Bruce Weber’s team took advantage with a 50-43 payout.
A Matter of Good Fortune?
Good fortune seems to be more of a factor than ever in the Big Dance this year. Neither Kansas State or Kentucky will apologize for their dates with Lady Luck. After all, you still have to be good enough to capitalize on opportunity. K-State has a solid defense that offsets a plodding offense. Kentucky undeniably has the superior athletes and skill. And after an inconsistent four months U of K has kicked into high gear.
Weber and Calipari
Weber has rebuilt his coaching reputation that was damaged at Illinois. He started off with a bang at Champaign but left as discredited. K-State hired him grudgingly but the payoff has been program stability. Calipari has returned Kentucky to glory. Under his leadership U of K has four Final Fours and one title. He is often derided for an emphasis on “one and dones.” But Calipari simply adapted better than his peers. Once considered an outlaw he is now respected if not admired. In fact, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Matchup to Watch
Both teams are crushing the betting lines NCAA basketball. Sweet Sixteen play is where midnight often strikes for Cinderella. Kentucky has significantly superior firepower here. Kansas State has earned respect. But this is the end of the road for KSU.
Kansas State vs. Kentucky NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion a highly talented Kentucky team has hit its stride at the perfect time. U of K is the pick!
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Kentucky Wildcats
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Kentucky 86, Kansas State 71
Check out highlights of Kentucky’s win over Buffalo!