The Wright State Raiders and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Monday in college basketball action from Rupp Arena. Here’s a Kentucky vs Wright State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Kentucky vs Wright State pick.
Wright State Raiders Betting Preview
The Raiders had some high hopes leading into the 2023-24 season and didn’t quite reach those lofty expectations. Wright State would go 18-14 overall with a 13-7 Horizon League record, good enough for fourth place behind Oakland, Youngstown State and Green Bay. Wright State lost in the opener round of the conference tourney to Northern Kentucky.
This season the Raiders will turn over a proverbial new leaf with head coach Clint Sargent in his first year. Wright State loses a couple of big pieces in Trey Calvin (19.6 PPG) and Tanner Holden (16.3 PPG) to graduation. AJ Braun left for Cal Baptist as well, but eight players from last season return.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Kentucky side, they posted a 23-10 overall record last year with a 13-5 mark in Southeastern Conference games. The Wildcats finished in second place behind Tennessee (14-4) with that run. First-round exits in both the conference tournament and national tournament ended the season on a couple of sour notes, though.
This year Kentucky will have to start fresh, as all five starters have departed. There’s a new face in the head coach slot as well in Mark Pope. He’s got his work cut out for him in returning to the Wildcats’ glory days, as Kentucky has won just one NCAA Tournament game in the last four years.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win
- Kentucky has won each of its last nine Monday games.
- Kentucky has won the first half in each of its last eight Monday games against non-Conference opponents.
Why the Wright State Raiders will win
- Wright State has won seven of its last eight road games.
- Kentucky has lost three of its last four day games against non-Conference opponents.
- Wright State has won the first half in seven of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Twelve of Kentucky’s last 13 day games against non-Conference opponents at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
- Six of Wright State’s last seven day games have produced a total of 163+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Kentucky ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage last season (40.9%).
- Kentucky ranked 2nd among Division 1 teams for points per game last season (89.0).
- Wright State ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage last season (53.0%).
- Wright State ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game last season (32.3).
Kentucky vs Wright State Prediction
I might take a stab on Wright State here. The Raiders will have a mostly new look this season behind Sargent, however there are still plenty of familiar faces to go around. Brandon Noel (14.5 PPG) and Alex Huibregtse (12.3 PPG) should both take a step forward and help lead the team. Noel in particular is in early conversations for Horizon League Player of the Year.
As for Kentucky, they may lack a breakout superstar on their roster but they’ve got plenty of depth and experience to make up for it. The Wildcats don’t have any glaring weak spots on paper, which could lead to a few surprising runs during the season. I don’t think they’ll cover this one right out of the gate, though.