On Friday, November 14, 2025, the Eastern Illinois Panthers will take on the #9 Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. This non-conference game features the Panthers from the Ohio Valley Conference and the Wildcats from the Southeastern Conference. The game will be broadcast on SEC at 7:00 PM ET.

Eastern Illinois vs. Kentucky Betting Prediction

• Spread Prediction: Eastern Illinois +38.5. Eastern Illinois has covered the spread in their last three games, making them a good option to cover against Kentucky.
• Over/Under Prediction: Under 149.5. Eastern Illinois games have gone under in their last three outings, suggesting a lower-scoring game is likely.

Team Trends

• The game will take place at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.
• Eastern Illinois Panthers have a spread of +38.5, while Kentucky Wildcats have a spread of -38.5.
• Eastern Illinois Panthers have a perfect 3-0 record against the spread as underdogs.
• Kentucky Wildcats have a straight-up record of 2-0 as favorites.
• The over/under for the game is set at 149.5.

Eastern Illinois vs Kentucky Preview

The Eastern Illinois Panthers will challenge the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on Friday. The Panthers have started their season with a 1-2 record. They recently fell to Notre Dame by 20 points. In that game, Kooper Jacobi stood out with 20 points. They will aim to improve their away record against a tough opponent.

On the other side, the Kentucky Wildcats hold a 2-1 record. They are coming off a close loss to Louisville, where Denzel Aberdeen scored 26 points. The Wildcats have been strong at home, winning both of their home games this season. They will look to continue their home success against the Panthers.

Wildcats Ready for Home Game

The Kentucky Wildcats hold a strong position with an AP rank of #9. They have started the 2026 regular season with a record of 2-1. At home, they have shown strength, winning both games played in Rupp Arena. In their last game, the Wildcats lost to the Louisville Cardinals by 8 points. Despite the loss, Denzel Aberdeen stood out with 26 points and 7 rebounds. The Wildcats aim to bounce back in their next game. For the season, Kentucky averages 90.7 points per game. They rank 20th in total rebounds per game with 47.7. Denzel Aberdeen and Collin Chandler are key players, contributing significantly in points and assists.

Panthers Seek Road Success

The Eastern Illinois Panthers have had a challenging start to the 2026 season. They hold a record of 1-2, with their lone win coming at home. On the road, they have struggled, losing both away games. In their recent game against Notre Dame, the Panthers lost by 20 points. Kooper Jacobi led the team with 20 points and 3 rebounds. Zion Fruster also contributed with 11 points and 3 assists. Offensively, the Panthers average 62.0 points per game. They have a field goal percentage of 38.2%. Zion Fruster is a key player, averaging 16.0 points per game.

Final Betting Pick

Eastern Illinois has shown they can cover large spreads, doing so in their last three games. Their ability to keep games closer than expected makes them a good pick to cover +38.5 against Kentucky. Despite Kentucky’s strong offense, Eastern Illinois’s recent performance against the spread suggests they can manage to stay within the margin.

On the scoring side, Eastern Illinois games have consistently gone under the total. They average only 62 points per game, ranking low in offensive stats. Kentucky’s high-scoring games might not be enough to push the total over 149.5, making the under a solid choice.

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

* 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.