Kentucky vs Western Kentucky 12/22/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will travel to Rupp Arena to take on the 20^th ranked Kentucky Wildcats this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 8-4 on the season after defeating the Louisville Cardinals, 82-72, this past Saturday. Western Kentucky was outstanding offensively against the tough Louisville defense and was able to pull away for the victory after taking a 70-58 lead with 7:16 left in regulation. Western Kentucky shot 50.0% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Louisville to shoot 42.2% from the field & 36.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hilltoppers was Camron Justice who had 25 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Western Kentucky is averaging 78.6 ppg on 48.2% shooting from the field. The Hilltoppers are averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Kentucky has been led by Jairus Hamilton (16.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg), Dayvion McKnight (14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2.1 spg), Camron Justice (13.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 spg), & Luke Frampton (9.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 spg).

Defensively, Western Kentucky is allowing their opponents to average 65.7 ppg on 38.2% shooting from the field. The Hilltoppers have a rebound margin of 1.4 and a turnover margin of 2.2.

The 20^th ranked Kentucky Wildcats improved to 8-2 on the season after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 98-69, this past Saturday. Kentucky had their way on the offensive end against the North Carolina defense and had no trouble pulling away in the 2^nd half after going into halftime with a 40-29 lead. Kentucky shot 54.2% from the field & 53.3% from beyond the arc while holding North Carolina to just 43.4% shooting from the field & 7.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Sahvir Wheeler who had 26 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, & 4 steals.

On the season, Kentucky is averaging 82.1 ppg on 48.8% shooting from the field. The Wildcats are averaging 6.0 three-pointers per game on 32.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kentucky has been led by Oscar Tshiebwe (16.3 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.7 bpg), TyTy Washington Jr. (13.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg), Keion Brooks Jr. (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), & Sahvir Wheeler (11.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 7.7 apg, 1.6 spg).

Defensively, Kentucky is holding their opponents to an average of 62.2 ppg on 39.8% shooting from the field. The Wildcats have a rebound margin of 16.5 and a turnover margin of 0.7.

The Hilltoppers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games, however, are just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win. The Wildcats are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 home games and just 7-17-1 ATS in their last 25 games overall.

Western Kentucky has won 7 of their last 8 games and has been solid on both ends of the court as the Hilltoppers currently ranked 63^rd in scoring offense, 36^th in FG%, & 26^th in defensive FG%. Kentucky recently lost a tough game to Notre Dame, however, the Wildcats have been impressive so far this season and come into this game ranked 16^th in scoring offense & 59^th in scoring defense.

Kentucky is coming off an impressive win against North Carolina, however, Western Kentucky is not a team that the Wildcats should overlook and as I think the Hilltoppers will be able to keep this one competitive, I think Western Kentucky does just enough with the double-digit points to cover this spread. Good Luck!