Connecticut vs Kentucky


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The No. 4-seeded Kentucky Wildcats managed to escape the loaded East Region and are set to take on the N0. 3-seeded Connecticut Huskies, who have continued to play at an extremely high level after winning the Big East Tournament. These two teams faced off early in the regular season at the Maui Invitational, with the Huskies winning 84-67, behind 29-points from Kemba Walker.

The game will tip-off after the Butler/VCU matchup around 8:50 ET at Reliant Stadium.

According to the odds at Bodog, Kentucky is favored by 2-points over Connecticut with the total sitting at 140.

For those of you looking to do some betting on the game this weekend, here is a quick look at how each team got to the Final Four, plus some interesting prop bets you can make on the game.

Connecticut Huskies

Including their five wins in five days in the Big East Tournament, the Huskies have won nine tournament games in 19 days. They got things rolling in the NCAA Tournament with a couple easy wins over Bucknell and Cincinnati. They got their first challenge in the Sweet 16, fighting off San Diego State late for a 74-67 win, and then in the Elite Eight they were taken down to the final minute in a 65-63 win over Arizona.

Connecticut Total Points
Over 69 (-120)
Under 69 (-120)

There are going to be those that jump on the over here, after they see Connecticut dropped 84 on the Wildcats earlier this season,but I don’t think that is the right move. Kentucky is allowing just 62.2 points in their four tournament games.

Kemba Walker T0tal Points
Over 25.5 (-130)
Under 25.5 (-110)

No question Walker has been amazing in the tournament, but Kentucky hasn’t allowed a single player to score more than 21 points in their four games on the way to the Final Four. Walker has actually only topped that mark twice in the tournament and I’ll take my chances on him not reaching that mark against the Wildcats.

Jeremy Lamb Total Points
Over 14.5 (-130)
Under 14.5 (-110)

Lamb has been unbelievable for Connecticut, and has really picked it up in the last two games, scoring 24 against San Diego State and 19 against Arizona. I think Kentucky will put so much emphasis on stopping Walker that Lamb will get plenty of open looks and I think he scores at least 15 in this one.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats barely made it out of the first round, as they needed a last second shot by Brandon Knight to win 59-57. Things were a little easier in their next matchup against West Virginia, but their Sweet 16 showdown with Ohio State came down to the wire with Kentucky barely holding on for a 62-60 win. The Wildcats then overcame a regular season loss to North Carolina with a 76-69 win to advance to the Final Four.

Kentucky Total Points
Over 71 (-120)
Under 71 (-120)

Connecticut hasn’t allowed more than 67 points in their four NCAA Tournament games, and I see no reason to believe Kentucky will top that mark. I think this game is going to be a lot more defensive than people expect.

Brandon Knight Total Points
Over 18 (-130)
Under 18 (-130)

Knight has had two great games and two bad games in the tournament, so its hard telling what to expect against the Huskies. I think the over has some value just because Knight shoots so many shots, but I’m not huge on this bet.

Terrance Jones Total Points
Over 14 (-120)
Under 14 (-120)

Jones hasn’t scored more than 12 points in single game in the Tournament, and only topped the 14 point mark once in the SEC Tournament. Jones simply isn’t getting the same amount of looks as he was earlier in the season, and I really like him to go under the total here.

Josh Harrellson Total Points
Over 12.5 (-120)
Under 12.5 (-120)

While all the talk is about the Kentucky freshmen, the Wildcats wouldn’t be in the Final Four if it wasn’t for senior Josh Harrellson. He is averaging nearly 15 a game in the NCAA Tournament, and has scored at least 12 in all four games. I am jumping all over the over in this bet!

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