South Carolina vs #14 Kentucky: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets

South Carolina is a team that can’t buy a win. They are currently 0-9 in SEC play, losing every matchup since conference games started. This team is just 1-5 on the road this year, beating Boston College (201st) in early December. They desperately need a win. However, so does Kentucky. The Wildcats started 3-1 in conference play but have since lost 4 of their last 5, missing their star PG Lamont Butler.

Kentucky hosts Tennessee on Tuesday, but quite frankly, they can not afford to look ahead. The Wildcats are on a two game skid and certainly need to get the easy wins at home. It’s no secret they’ve been better at Rupp Arena all year long, and I see them taking advantage of the home court against the Gamecocks.

South Carolina Gamecocks vs #14 Kentucky Wildcats: SEC Showdown

Matchup Information – South Carolina vs Kentucky

• Venue & Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
• Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2025
• Tip Off: 12:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN2

Betting Odds

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Spread

• South Carolina +10.5 (-105)
• Kentucky -10.5 (-115)

Total

• Over 151.5 (-110)
• Under 151.5 (-110)

Gamecocks Head into Rupp Arena

Like I said, both of these teams need a win. South Carolina has yet to win an SEC game this season, and Kentucky is floundering. Lamont Butler was upgraded from OUT to Questionable for Saturday’s matchup, which is certainly great news for Wildcats’ fans. His leadership brings extra confidence to this team, and with him on the floor, the sky is the limit.

The Gamecocks are not good offensively, especially on the road. They rank 273rd overall, 306th in eFG% and are Bottom 15 at turning the ball over. They prefer to play much slower than Kentucky, and more offensive possessions certainly doesn’t help them. South Carolina limits the offensive glass and gets to the free throw line, but I don’t think that will be enough to keep up with Kentucky.

For the Wildcats, the difference between playing at home and on the road is night and day. In 13 games at Rupp Arena, Kentucky is the most efficient offense in the nation, 6th in eFG%, and 13th at taking care of the basketball. They also clean up the defensive glass and are a Top 25 team in pace. Defensively they rank 108th overall. Now away from home, they drop to 12th in offensive efficiency and 126th defensively. At Rupp Arena, I see them getting the job done and covering.

South Carolina vs #14 Kentucky Best Bets

South Carolina vs Kentucky Prediction: Kentucky Wins & Covers, Over 151.5

Best Bets: Kentucky -10.5 (-115) BetOnline

Recently, Kentucky has sucked. There’s no ignoring it. But they don’t suck as much at home. Plus, offensively, they have been there nearly every game. The Wildcat’s have had an eFG% above 55% in 7 straight games and 8/9 in conference play. The problem has been on the defensive end. Lucky for them, South Carolina isn’t anything to be scared of.

I mentioned Kentucky hosting the Vols on Tuesday, but they already beat them once (without Butler), and can’t afford to lose focus. They need every win they can get. This is an easy one for this team at home, and I trust Mark Pope to fire up the squad and rally them to victory. Look for the Wildcats to speed things up, which the Gamecocks won’t like, and run them out of the gym. I like Kentucky’s TT more than the full game over, but definitely trust them to cover.

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