Oakland vs. Kentucky Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
Can the Kentucky Wildcats make it out of the first weekend? They take on the Oakland Grizzlies in the Round of 64. Jason Radowitz provides Oakland vs. Kentucky odds and starting lineups ahead of the game.
Jason Radowitz - March 21, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT
5 minOakland vs. Kentucky Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
The Kentucky Wildcats haven't made it out of the first weekend in the last two seasons.
The Wildcats famously lost to St. Peter's as a No. 2 seed in 2022 and couldn't get by Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year.
Under Jon Calipari, the Wildcats haven't had a drought like this in a long time. Kentucky last missed out on the second weekend in back-to-back seasons at least a decade ago.
However, there were a couple of times when Kentucky didn't even make the NCAA Tournament. But that's talk for another time.
What I'm getting at here is that Kentucky fans are getting restless. They're looking for a Sweet 16 appearance and then some this season. Can Kentucky add some momentum against the Oakland Grizzlies on Thursday?
Let's take a look at the latest odds and starting lineups for the Round of 64 matchup between the Oakland Grizzlies vs. Kentucky Wildcats.
Oakland vs. Kentucky Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Start Time: 7:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Oakland vs. Kentucky Odds and Betting Data
TEAM | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | IMPLIED CHANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
Oakland Grizzlies | +13.5 (-110) | 650 | 13.33% |
Kentucky Wildcats | -13.5 (-110) | -1000 | 90.91% |
The Kentucky Wildcats have been given a 91% chance of winning this game against Oakland on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats are sitting at -13.5 against the spread.
On the other hand, Oakland only has a 13.33% probability of knocking off Kentucky as a No. 14 seed facing a No. 3 seed. Oakland will need to keep up with Kentucky's offense if it wants to cover.
Oakland Grizzlies vs. Kentucky Wildcats Prediction
The Kentucky offense has been admirable throughout the year.
The Wildcats have shot an NCAA-best 41.2% from downtown and a 57.4% effective field goal percentage. They have also drained 77.3% from the foul line and turned the ball over just 14.2% of the time.
Oakland won't force many turnovers on Kentucky. The Grizzlies also won't force tough shots against Kentucky. The only thing Oakland can do well in this game is limit fouls. But if the Grizzlies don't foul as much, it just means Kentucky is getting whatever they want from the floor.
However, Kentucky has also struggled defensively, allowing teams to add 30.2% of offensive rebounds. The Wildcats also don't add many turnovers and have only held teams to a 49.5% effective field goal percentage. Oakland might not cover the spread, but they'll score enough points to push this game Over the total of 163.5.
Oakland vs. Kentucky Prediction: Over 163.5 (-105) (Bet $105 to collect $205)
Oakland vs. Kentucky Projected Lineups
Oakland projected lineup:
- G: Osei Price
- G: Blake Lampman
- G: DQ Cole
- F: Trey Townsend
- F: Chris Conway
Kentucky projected lineup:
- G: Antonio Reaves
- G: D.J. Wagner
- G: Justin Edwards
- F: Adou Thiero
- F: Ugonna Onyenso
Oakland March Madness Odds
The Oakland Grizzlies have odds of +100000 to win the NCAA March Madness Tournament. It's super unlikely Oakland even gets past Kentucky in the first round.
But if Oakland did, the road wouldn't get any easier for this mid-major school. They'd have to face Texas Tech or North Carolina State, which are two more Power-5 schools.
Kentucky March Madness Odds
The Kentucky Wildcats are +2200 to win the NCAA Tournament this year. They've got the ninth-best odds in the nation, but they don't have the ninth-best team in the nation.
It will be hard for Kentucky to go on a run in the NCAA Tournament with a defense that ranks 108 in efficiency. While Kentucky will likely get by Oakland, the Wildcats don't have the metrics that would solidify taking them to make the Elite Eight.
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