The opening round of the SEC Tournament features a meeting between LSU and Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon in Nashville. Kentucky enters the postseason with a 19-12 record after an up-and-down regular season, while LSU arrives at 15-16 and hopes to extend its year with an upset. The Wildcats are listed as a clear favorite, and I analyze whether or not that status is justified below, as I make my LSU vs Kentucky prediction in the betting markets.
Our LSU vs Kentucky Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: LSU Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 12:30 PM ET
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
- Broadcast: SEC Network
Key Storylines
This game is a part of the first round of the SEC Tournament, and both teams enter with different expectations. Kentucky finished the regular season with a 19-12 record and a 10-8 mark in conference play. LSU struggled through the SEC schedule and sits just under .500 overall and 3-15 in conference play. The Wildcats are looking to build momentum in March, while LSU needs a strong showing to keep its season alive.
Kentucky’s fans tend to travel well for neutral-site matchups. That is expected to be the case again here, despite the fact that this hasn’t been the best year in the recent history of Kentucky college basketball. It will be interesting to see if LSU brings much support, given how badly their season has gone.
Key Players
Kentucky Wildcats
- Otega Oweh leads the Wildcats with 18.2 points per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. His scoring ability off the dribble makes him the focal point of Kentucky’s offense.
- Denzel Aberdeen serves as the primary playmaker and is the team leader in assists. His ability to distribute the ball keeps the offense flowing.
LSU Tigers
- Max Mackinnon has been a key scoring option for LSU and recently led the team with 20 points in the triple overtime loss against Texas A&M.
- Michael Nwoko provides a strong inside presence and grabbed 13 rebounds in LSU’s most recent game.
- Jordan Sears adds scoring in the backcourt and gives LSU perimeter shooting when the offense stalls.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | LSU | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 81.4 | 81.2 |
| Points allowed per game | 78.2 | 73.7 |
| Team Field Goal % | 47% | 47% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 36.9 | 38.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 14.8 | 16.2 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Earlier this season, Kentucky defeated LSU 75-74 in Baton Rouge.
- Kentucky is 15-16 against the spread going into postseason play.
- LSU has a 17-14 record against the spread this season.
LSU vs Kentucky Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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