The Louisville Cardinals (5-6) will host the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats (8-2) for a heated in-state rivalry on Thursday. The Wildcats have dominated this series in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings against the Cardinals. Louisville, meanwhile, has lost 14 of its last 20 games dating back to last season. However, the Cardinals have won four of their last five games at home.
Tip-off from KFC Yum! Center in Louisville is set for 6 p.m. ET. The Wildcats are 14-point favorites in the latest Kentucky vs. Louisville odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 155.5. Before making any Louisville vs. Kentucky picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 7 of the 2023-24 season on a 100-63 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 12-4 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Kentucky vs. Louisville and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines and trends for Louisville vs. Kentucky:
- Kentucky vs. Louisville spread: Kentucky -14
- Kentucky vs. Louisville over/under: 155.5 points
- Kentucky vs. Louisville money line: Kentucky -1133, Louisville +717
- UK: The Wildcats are 4-1 in their last five games
- LOU: The Cardinals are 2-3 against the spread in their last five games
- Kentucky vs. Louisville picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Kentucky can cover
Freshman guard Reed Sheppard is a smooth scorer and has great defensive instincts. Sheppard has been a reliable shooter from the outside and can consistently jump into passing lanes. The Kentucky native averages 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He also leads the team in steals (2.9). On Dec. 2 versus UNC Wilmington, Sheppard finished with 25 points, six assists, and two steals.
Senior forward Tre Mitchell brings mobility to the frontcourt. Mitchell has soft hands around the basket and is capable of stretching the floor. The Pennsylvania native is averaging 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. On Nov. 28 against Miami, Mitchell notched 14 points, five boards, and seven assists. See which team to pick here.
Why Louisville can cover
Sophomore guard Skyy Clark is an agile ball handler. Clark consistently penetrates the lane to score or find an open teammate. The California native is also a streaky shooter from the perimeter. Clark logs 15.4 points, three rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. On Nov. 26 against New Mexico State, he finished with a season-high 29 points, four boards, and three assists.
Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield provides the Cardinals with an energetic force in the lane. Huntley-Hatfield owns terrific body control and a great touch around the rim. He leads the team in rebounds (9.2) to go along with 9.2 points and one block per game. The Tennessee native has recorded back-to-back double-doubles. In his last outing, Huntley-Hatfield finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. See which team to pick here.
How to make Louisville vs. Kentucky picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting 151 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Kentucky vs. Louisville, and which side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,000 on its college basketball picks dating back to last season, and find out.
