Kentucky Wildcats vs Providence Friars Point Spread Picks

A good matchup for the defenses as both offenses rely on offensive rebounding to generate points. Providence was fourth in the 11-team Big East in rebounding and is 55-36 UNDER the total at neutral sites, including 30-14 UNDER on neutral courts when the total is 140 to 149.5. In addition, the Friars are 57-29 UNDER the First Half Total at neutral sites, plus 35-17 UNDER the First Half Total as an underdog. Both these teams played just one conference tournament game as the offenses struggled with Providence scoring 66 points and Kentucky 73. Kentucky is 143-102 UNDER the total against teams that average 77+ points and 139-104 UNDER the First Half Total versus teams that average 77+ points. And neutral court college basketball teams working on five or six days of rest are 170-98 UNDER when the total is between 140 and 149.5 points. Take Providence/Kentucky UNDER the total as a Max Play + the First Half UNDER.

A pair of unbeaten teams meet in this early season showdown. Kentucky is No. 1, but the Wildcats start a stretch of facing five ranked opponents over their next seven games when No. 25 Providence comes to Lexington on Sunday. Kentucky is a huge favorite, but Providence has won all of its games and is on a 6-1-1 ATS run, plus the Friars are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. Providence has good balance inside and out with 6-6 senior LaDontae Henton (24.3 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game) and 6-9 junior Tyler Harris (13.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game). Providence shoots 49.4% as a team (33rd in the nation) and is battle tested, winning a string of close games. The Friars are 5-0-1 ATS against a team with a winning record while Kentucky is 3-8-2 ATS following a win of more than 20 points. These teams met last year in a 79-65 Kentucky win, and this game will be closer. Play Providence.