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College Basketball

Saint Peter’s Peacocks vs. Kentucky Wildcats Picks, Predictions, Odds

Joe Hedrick Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The Saint Peter’s Peacocks (19-11) will take on the Kentucky Wildcats (26-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana and can be viewed on CBS.  

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Score Prediction

Kentucky 70, Saint Peter's 58

Best Bet

Saint Peter's +18 (-110)  

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS PREDICTIONS

Saint Peter’s won the MAAC Tournament after defeating Fairfield, Quinnipiac, and Monmouth. The Peacocks finished off the season strong, winning seven straight and going 7-0 ATS. During their seven-game winning streak, Saint Peter’s has been great defensively, allowing opponents just 51.7 PPG. The Peacocks have reached the NCAA Tournament three times in their school's history, most recently in 2011 when they lost to Purdue in the first round 65-43.  

Kentucky lost in the SEC championship game to Tennessee 69-62 and failed to cover as 3-point favorites. The Wildcats ended the season 7-3 SU in their last 10 games and were 3-6-1 ATS.  Kentucky last made it to the Tournament in 2019 and lost to Auburn in the Elite Eight game. The Wildcats have gone 4-5 ATS this season when they are favorited by 18 or more points, which is the current line for this game. 

Saint Peter's has been great ATS as of late and their defense has been performing as one of the best in the country. They are outmatched in this game, there is no question about it, but I think their defense will be able to keep it within 15 points throughout. Backing the Peacocks and the points in this one

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 15 vs. No. 2
  • Region: East
  • Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • TV-Time: CBS - 7:10 p.m. ET

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 19-11
  • ATS: 21-9
  • O/U: 11-19

Saint Peter’s rewarded faithful bettors with an ATS record of 21-9. The Peacocks have been great as of late, winning and covering their last seven games. The total has gone under in 19 of Saint Peter’s 30 games played, including five of the last six. The Peacocks are 2-2 ATS this season when getting more than 10-points as the underdog.  

The Peacocks are a team that focuses on their defense so their offensive numbers aren’t all that impressive. On the season, Saint Peter’s has averaged 66.9 PPG, 43.1 FG%, 35.3 3PT%, 12.2 APG, and 36.2 RPG. The Peacocks struggle protecting the ball, turning it over an average of 13.9 times a game. They also generate 21% of their points from the free throw line, which may be difficult in this game, as Kentucy has the size advantage and may not commit too many fouls down low. 

The Peacocks defense enters this matchup as one of the best in the country. On the season, they have allowed opponents 61.8 PPG, 38.3 FG%, 29.3 3PT%, while averaging 7.3 SPG, and 4.9 BPG. Saint Peter’s will need to block out and not allow offensive rebounds, which is easier said than done when facing Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe who is the leading rebounder in the nation.  

KENTUCKY WILDCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 26-7
  • ATS: 14-18-1
  • O/U: 16-17

The Kentucky Wildcats have been a disappointment to bettors, going 14-18-1 ATS this season. Things have been no different as of late, going 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games. The total has gone under in 17 of the Wildcat’s 33 games played this season, but going against this trend has gone over in three of their last five games.  

Kentucky’s offense is led by junior forward Oscar Tshiebwe who averages 17.0 PPG, 15.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, and 60.2 FG%. As a team, the Wildcats are one of the top scoring teams in the country, averaging 79.5 PPG, 48.4 FG%, 30.4 3PT%, 16.1 APG, and 40.2 RPG. Kentucky was just 2-20 (10%) from beyond the arc in their loss to Tennessee, so it should be interesting and could be a huge factor in this one depending on their success from beyond the arc.  

Kentucky’s defense has been solid this season and six of their seven losses have come against top 25-opponents. On the season, they have allowed opposing teams 66.0 PPG, 41.1FG%, 30.3 3PT%, while averaging 6.8 SPG and 4.2 BPG. The Wildcats defense should see success on defense against the Peacocks as they have the size advantage and should be able to dominate the glass.  

Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS

  • Record: 19-11
  • PS/G: 66.9 (287th)
  • PA/G: 61.8 (19th)

INSIDE THE STATS - KENTUCKY WILDCATS

  • Record: 26-7
  • PS/G: 79.5 (16th)
  • PA/G: 66 (84th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • PETE: Daryl Banks - G (11 ppg)
  • PETE: KC Ndefo - G (10.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
  • UK: Oscar Tshiebwe - F (17 ppg, 15.2 rpg)
  • UK: TyTy Washington - G (12.8 ppg, 4 apg)

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS BETTING CONCLUSION

This is a very interesting matchup. While I do think Kentucky wins this game, there is a good chance Saint Peter’s defense is able to create some troubles for UK on the offensive end. I understand that competition in the MAAC is not as talented as that in the SEC, but this Peacock’s defense is good enough to back in this one. Taking the Peacocks and the points in this one.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

SAINT PETER'S PEACOCKS vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS BETTING TRENDS

  • Kentucky has won 28 of its last 34 NCAA Tournament games. 
  • Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games when playing on a neutral court.
  • Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games. 
  • Kentucky has gone OVER the point total in 10 of its last 11 games after going UNDER the point total the game prior.
  • Saint Peter's has lost three straight NCAA Tournament games. 
  • Saint Peter's has covered the spread in seven straight games. 
  • Saint Peter's has covered the spread in three straight games when playing in a neutral court.

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