Oakland vs. Kentucky Prediction: Can Trey Townsend, Golden Grizzlies Stay Close With Wildcats in Round of 64?
The Kentucky Wildcats will battle the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Thursday evening. Can Trey Townsend keep Oakland close in the early going? Joey Ruiz is targeting the first half for his best bet in Oakland vs. Kentucky.
Joey Ruiz - March 21, 2024, 3:30 PM EDT
5 minOakland vs. Kentucky Prediction: Can Trey Townsend, Golden Grizzlies Stay Close With Wildcats in Round of 64?
Kentucky has had their ups and downs on the defensive side of the ball this year but their explosive offense has been consistent for much of the season. Can they defend well enough to take care of a pesky Oakland squad? Let’s break it down.
Oakland vs. Kentucky DATE, TIME, WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Oakland vs. Kentucky Prediction
Kentucky probably has the most potent and explosive offense in the country. They can score 90-100 points on anyone with relative ease, and they have been playing extremely well down the stretch but there are still concerns with their effort and execution on the defensive side of the floor.
Over their last six games, they are 5-1 overall while averaging an astounding 97 points per game. Tops in the nation over that six-game stretch. But the caveat is that their defense has also been allowing a very below-average 90 points per game during that same span.
The Wildcats have also not been living up to the hype when lined as a betting favorite lately, particularly in the first half of those games. Kentucky trailed Texas A&M by six at the half as a 5.5-point favorite, and failed to cover first half spreads against lowly Vanderbilt/Arkansas as heavy favorites. Kentucky’s helter-skelter style of playing extremely up tempo can leave holes in their defense, as they are very susceptible to giving up big runs when they aren’t knocking down outside shots.
They have a tall task ahead of them tonight as they face an Oakland squad who played a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule and actually performed quite well in those games. Oakland had the 15th toughest non conference schedule in the nation as they played Ohio State, Illinois, Xavier, Michigan State, Drake, and Dayton, all on the road.
Oakland went 4-2 ATS in those 6 games while also beating Xavier straight up as nearly 15 point dogs. Oakland performed particularly well in the 1H of those games as they actually led at the half against Ohio State (35-34) and Xavier (43-42), and only trailed by a single point at the break against Illinois (27-28) and Drake (36-37). Oakland was a heavy underdog in each of those games and the moment was never too big for them as they frequently played up to their competition against top rated and supposedly more talented teams.
I think there is a huge window where Oakland can keep this game close in the first half, and may even take a lead into halftime if they can just play a lick of defense against Kentucky early. With that being said, I am rolling with Oakland first half +8.5 at -120 odds for two units as my most confident college basketball play of the day for Day 1. I am also rolling with Oakland first half ML at +410 for 0.5 units for a small longshot play, as I think there is a lot of value on this given how Oakland has performed in the first half in these types of spots so far on the campaign.
Oakland vs. Kentucky Prediction
- 2 Unit Pick: Oakland 1H +8.5 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
- 0.5 Unit Pick: Oakland 1H ML +410 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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