Kentucky vs Illinois State Prediction Basketball Picks 12-29-23
Kentucky Wildcats (9-2) vs Illinois State Redbirds (8-4)
2023-12-29 19:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky Wildcats -19.5 -- Over/Under: 148
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois State Redbirds and the Kentucky Wildcats meet in college basketball action from Rupp Arena on Friday night. Can Illinois State shock Big Blue at Rupp Arena? Or will Kentucky hold down home court? Let’s dive in and find out with our Illinois State vs. Kentucky Prediction.
Illinois State Team Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds come into this game looking to build on back-to-back wins after an 85-64 win over Southeast Missouri State last time out. Darius Burford leads the Redbirds in scoring with 13.7 PPG while Dalton Banks has 10.9 PPG with 4 RPG and a team-high 3.7 APG to lead the Redbirds in assists as the only other double-digit scorer for Illinois State up to this point in the year. Myles Foster also has 9.6 PPG with a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead the Redbirds on the glass this season. As a team, Illinois State is averaging 68.5 PPG on 42.4% shooting from the field, 28.8% from three and 70.2% from the foul line this season. Illinois State is 8-4 in the MVC standings.
Kentucky Team Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to build on their current three-game win streak after a 95-76 win over Louisville last time out. Antonio Reeves leads the Wildcats in scoring with 18.3 PPG and 4.2 RPG while Rob Dillingham has 14.2 PPG with a team-high 4.3 APG to lead the Wildcats in the assist department as well as 3.9 RPG. Tre Mitchell has 13.2 PPG with a team-high 6.7 RPG and 3.5 APG while D.J. Wagner has 11.7 PPG with 3.6 APG and Reed Sheppard has 12.6 PPG with 4.3 APG. Justin Edwards has 10 PPG with 4.6 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Big Blue so far this season. As a team, Kentucky is averaging 90.6 PPG on 49.7% shooting from the field, 41.4% from three and 73.4% from the foul line this season.
Illinois State vs. Kentucky Prediction
I’m on Kentucky here. The Wildcats are just the better team by a fair margin and the Redbirds haven’t really had to make a huge step up in competition up to this point in the year. The Wildcats have throttled all of the lesser opponents that have tried to step up at Rupp Arena this season and sat them down one by one for the most part. Give me Kentucky for another resounding win at home here.
