Saturday college basketball and we will see the Kentucky Wildcats travel to Colonial Life Arena to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. The game has a start time of 12:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ESPN. Current Vegas betting odds have Kentucky listed as 12.5 point favorites, while the total is set at 124.  

Analysis:  The Kentucky Wildcats are the best team in the nation and just 1 of two undefeated teams still left in the country. The Cats come in at 18-0 on the year, including 12-0 at home and 5-0 in the SEC, but they were just taken to the limit at home by an average average Vanderbilt squad. The Cats are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss and 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Kentucky has been a good offensive team, as they come in ranked 34th in scoring (75.5 ppg), 79th in shooting (45.7%), 109th in 3 point shooting (35.8%) and 182nd in FT shooting (68.8%). Defensively the Cats have been one of the best in the nation ranking 2nd in points allowed (50.8 ppg), 1st in defensive FG% (32.2%) and 7th in 3 point defense (27.0%). 

The South Carolina Gamecocks have struggled of late as they are just 1-4 in their last 5 games. This slump now has them at just 10-7 overall, which includes a mark of 1-4 in the SEC and a 7-3 marl at home. The Gamecocks are 8-21-1 ATS in their last 30 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600 and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 vs the SEC. South Carolina has been a decent offensive team this year, ranking 110th in scoring (70.5 ppg), 133rd in shooting (44.3%), 310th in 3 point shooting (30.0%) and 47th in FT shooting (73.0%). Defensively the Gamecocks have been solid, as they come in ranked 56th in points allowed (61.0 ppg), 9th in defensive FG% (36.6%) and 59th in 3 point defense (30.9%).  

Pick: I will go with the Under in this game. The Cats may have struggled at times this year, but never on the defensive end of the floor as the they rank 2nd in the nation in points allowed (50.8 ppg) and 1st in defensive FG % (32.2 %). This defense just does not take games off, but the offense has, especially on the road where they have averaged just 66.8 ppg on 38.8% shooting so far this year. I do expect them to struggle on offense in this one vs a South Carolina team that allows just 61.3 ppg on 37.7% shooting at home. Boh teams play at a slow pace and that, along with very good defense,  will help keep the scoring down. 

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