So far, the Missouri Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats are sending mixed messages to college basketball gamblers as SEC action heats the winter months. Since he arrived in 2022, head coach Dennis Gates has put the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament in two of his first three seasons. Like all Mizzou coaches, Gates inherited College Basketball odds expectations that may not be realistic, but he is dealing with them effectively. Mizzou is not providing good betting value but has the potential to flip that, as evidenced by its good straight-up record.
Compared to Missouri, Kentucky fans believe that every year must be a Final Four run. The inability to meet those expectations wore John Calipari down. Thus, he bailed two years ago for Arkansas. Mark Pope is quickly realizing that the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats doesn’t get much of a honeymoon. That’s especially true when not covering the spread.
Missouri Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, January 7, 2025, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, KY |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN2 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | +7(-110) | 71(-110) | +305 |  |
| Kentucky | -7(-110) | 71(-110) | -190 | |
| ||||
Missouri at Kentucky Betting Odds Analysis
Of course, the Tigers could offer betting value as a quality road team facing one of the most powerful brands in sports betting, but they have not shown consistency. Kentucky playing at home continues to mesmerize the casual sector. Kentucky will play hard for its demanding fans against a team it can beat. Consider that, given the branding, gamblers are hesitant to back Kentucky at home, which might drag down the Wildcats’ value. On the other hand, offsetting the Kentucky price is Mizzou’s poor value as of late.
Missouri Tigers Team Overview
Overall, the Missouri Tigers are 11-3 straight up, 6-8 against the spread, and 6-8 over/under the sports betting total. Mizzou has covered two out of its last eight games. The Tigers have gone under the total in four of their previous five matchups.
Overall, Missouri ranks 148th in scoring offense, 15th in field goal percentage, 68th in 3-point field goal percentage, 318th in free throw percentage, and 234th in offensive rebounding. On defense, the Tigers rank 90th in scoring defense, 90th in field goal percentage allowed, 312th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 230th in defensive rebounding.
Kentucky Wildcats Team Overview
The Kentucky Wildcats are 9-5 straight up, 6-8 against the spread, and 6-8 over/under the college basketball betting total. Late on, Kentucky has covered two out of its last four games. The Wildcats have gone under the total in three of their previous four matchups.
In sum, Kentucky ranks 126th in scoring offense, 67th in field goal percentage, 225th in 3-point field goal percentage, 103rd in free throw percentage, and 88th in offensive rebounding. On defense, the Wildcats rank 56th in scoring defense, 45th in field goal percentage allowed, 49th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 72nd in defensive rebounding.
Missouri at Kentucky Betting Trends
Missouri covered the spread in eight of its last 14 away games. Also, Mizzou went over the total in eight of its last ten road games. In turn, Kentucky failed to cover three of its last four home games.
Overall, Missouri and Kentucky split their last ten meetings against the spread. The Wildcats and Tigers went over the total in five of their last six meetings. Late on, Kentucky won its last seven home games against the Tigers and covered. The Tigers and Wildcats went over the total in five of their last seven meetings at Kentucky.
Missouri at Kentucky SBG Free Picks
Mizzou is getting a good price but has not shown reliable betting value and is in poor form against the oddsmakers. Certainly, Kentucky is one best offensive teams in college basketball. Most important of all, Kentucky totally owns its series with Mizzou at Rupp Arena. Kentucky’s defense should be the difference in the matchup.
Missouri at Kentucky SBG Best Bet:
Kentucky Wildcats.