The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Thursday in NCAA Tournament First Round college basketball action from PPG Paints Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. Here’s an Oakland vs Kentucky prediction. We will examine:
- The Oakland recent form and player performance
- The Kentucky recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Oakland
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Kentucky
- Recent betting trends in games played between Oakland and Kentucky
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Oakland vs Kentucky game
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Betting Preview
The Grizzlies were in trouble early in the year, sitting at just 6-8 after a rocky start. Oakland pulled it together the rest of the way however, and didn’t lose consecutive games from there. In the conference tournament, the Grizzlies were able to dispatch Cleveland State and Milwaukee.
Matched up against Milwaukee last Tuesday, the Grizzlies held a four-point edge at the break. Oakland kept the Panthers at bay with a 46-43 run from there and took the victory 83-76 in the end. Trey Townsend was the team’s leading scorer on 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
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Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Wildcats’ side, they’ve remained very consistent all year. Outside of a rough 2-4 run in January/February, Kentucky has maintained their winning ways most of the season. The Wildcats finished off the calendar with a win over Tennessee but then fell to Texas A&M in the tournament.
Matched up against the Aggies last Friday, the Wildcats were trailing 48-42 in the locker room. Kentucky didn’t end up getting any closer than that on a 49-45 run and lost 97-87. Rob Dillingham was tops on the team with his 27 points and seven assists off the bench.
Kentucky Wildcats Team Facts
- Kentucky has won each of its last seven night games against non-Conference opponents.
- Nineteen of Kentucky’s last 20 NCAA Tournament night games have produced a total of 161 or fewer points.
- Kentucky has won the first half in each of its last 11 night games against non-Conference opponents.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Team Facts
- Oakland has won each of its last seven night games.
- Each of Oakland’s last 17 games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 162 or fewer points.
- Oakland has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- Kentucky ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (41.2%).
- Kentucky ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (89.5).
- Oakland ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (16.4).
- Oakland ranks 38th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (76.0%).
Oakland vs. Kentucky Prediction
I’ll take a stab on Oakland. The Grizzlies have a hefty mountain to climb here, but I think they can hang around. Oakland played well against a pretty good Milwaukee team in their last outing, shooting 43.5 percent from the field with 41 rebounds and 17 team assists. The Grizzlies have scored 74 or more points in five straight games now.
As for Kentucky, they’re coming off a fairly toothless loss to Texas A&M. The Wildcats do have the potential for a deep tournament run if all goes well, but they’ve got to get back to form and stay strict on defense. If Oakland can start hot and hit some shots down the stretch though, I think the Grizzlies can get in there.