The Ohio State Buckeyes (7-4) travel to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats (10-1) on Saturday, December 21st. This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and televised on CBS. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 5:30 ET.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Kentucky Wildcats

The Buckeyes Are Coming Off A Win

Ohio State improved to 7-4 on the season with a 95-73 win over Valparaiso on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Buckeyes entered the game as 21-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 168, surpassing the O/U line of 149.5.

Ohio State led 41-30 at halftime and put up 54 points in the second half while allowing 43. The Buckeyes’ strong offensive performance in the second half helped them secure the win.

The Wildcats Are Coming Off A Win

Kentucky moved to 10-1 on the season with a 93-85 win over Louisville on Saturday. The Wildcats were -9.5 favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The combined points of 178 exceeded the O/U line of 160.

Kentucky led 46-40 at halftime and scored 47 points in the 2nd half while allowing 45. Though they got the win, the Wildcats’ defense will need to tighten up moving forward.

Buckeyes Offense Breakdown

Ohio State put up 95 points in their last game, shooting 54.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 59%. They were dominant inside, hitting 64.3% of their two-point attempts, while struggling from deep, making just 31.6% of their threes. At the free-throw line, they converted 85.2% of their attempts, going 23-for-27.

Devin Royal led the way with 31 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 68.8% from the field. All Wright added 22 points, and Bruce Thornton contributed 14 points and 6 assists. Evan Mahaffey was perfect from the field, hitting all 6 of his shots for 15 points.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Kentucky’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 93 points with a field goal percentage of 58.2% and an effective field goal percentage of 69.1%. They connected on 52.4% of their threes, hitting 11 of 21 attempts, and shot 61.8% from inside the arc.

Lamont Butler was perfect from the field, going 10/10 overall and 6/6 from three, finishing with 33 points and 6 assists. Chucky Hepburn added 26 points, while Terrence Edwards Jr. hit 5 of 7 threes, contributing 23 points to the win.

Buckeyes Team Defense

Ohio State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 73 points on 54% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes allowed their opponent to hit 64% of their two-point attempts, going 27/42 inside the arc.

From three-point range, Ohio State held their opponent to 31% shooting, with 6 made threes on 19 attempts. The Buckeyes also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 23 free throws for 85%.

Wildcats Team Defense

Ohio State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 73 points on 54% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes allowed 27 two-point baskets on 64% shooting.

From beyond the arc, Ohio State’s opponents shot 31%, hitting 6 of 19 three-point attempts. The Buckeyes also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 27 times, where they made 23 free throws, an 85% success rate.

Buckeyes vs Wildcats Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Ohio State has an ATS record of 0-3 while averaging 58 per game. The team went 0-3 overall in these games.
• Across their ten previous home games, Kentucky has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 78 points per game.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Buckeyes have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 2-3.
• Through their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Wildcats have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 0-5.

Buckeyes vs Wildcats Prediction

For a point-spread bet in this Wildcats vs. Wildcats matchup, we’re leaning towards the Wildcats at -8.5. Although our projections show the Wildcats winning 75-73, we suggest placing your bet on the Buckeyes for the point-spread.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 160.5 and our model has the Buckeyes and Wildcats finishing with a combined 148 points. Our pick is to take the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.