by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Friday, Dec 31, 2021
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Friday, December 31, 2021
Venue: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: High Point NL, Kentucky NL; Over/Under: NL points
Bet365: Point Spread: High Point +26.5, Kentucky -26.5; Over/Under: 137.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: High Point NL, Kentucky NL; Over/Under: NL points
Season Record
High Point Panthers: 6-7 (7th place, Big South)
Kentucky Wildcats: 10-2 (2nd place, SEC)
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High Point Panthers vs Kentucky Wildcats Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
High Point Panthers: 2-3 last 5
Kentucky Wildcats: 4-1 last 5
High Point Panthers Analysis
High Point is coming into this game with a 6-7 record overall and they are 1-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games and are coming into this one off of a loss in their last game. Their last win was against the Florida Atlantic Owls while their 3 losses in that span came against the South Carolina State Bulldogs, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, and the Michigan State Spartans in their last game. Jaden House led the team in points in that game with 18 while Zack Austin was next on the team with 15 points. Bryson Childress also scored 12 points off the bench while John-Michael Wright and Alex Holt both scored 10 points each as well in that one. Wright led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Austin led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 46.3% from the field, 52.6% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 71.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.4 PPG against them. High Point has an ATS record of 8-3 this season and their O/U record is 5-5-1.
Kentucky Wildcats Analysis
Kentucky is coming into this game with a 10-2 record overall and they are 9-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 10 of their last 11 games and are coming into this one on a 3 game winning streak. Their last loss was against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish while their 3 straight wins since then came against the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and the Missouri Tigers in their last game. Keion Brooks Jr. led the team in points in that game with 17 while Tyty Washington Jr. was next on the team with 14 points. Oscar Tshiebwe also scored 13 points and Sahvir Wheeler scored 11 points as well in that one. Wheeler led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Tshiebwe led the team in rebounds with 20. They were 43.1% from the field, 29.4% from 3-point range, and 84.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 61.5 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 6-6 this season and their O/U record is 5-7.
High Point vs Kentucky Prediction
High Point is coming into this game as a 26.5 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kentucky is going to be honoring the coach of High Point in this game so this one should be a massive blowout as Kentucky will not embarrass his team out of shear respect for the coach. Kentucky is a much better team but once they pull away by double digits they will likely calm down on the scoring a bit and keep the gap in the score the same for most of it. The best bet to place in this game is on High Point to cover the spread here as they will not get smashed by too much in this one.
High Point Kentucky Prediction: Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, Dec 31, 2021 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Kentucky 77 High Point 64.
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NCAAB Betting Trends
High Point Panthers: 7-11 O/U when playing their 2nd game in 3 days. 2-5 O/U after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds. 7-13 O/U after having lost 3 of their last 4 games. 9-14 O/U off a road loss. 5-10 O/U off a road loss by 10 points or more. 14-23 O/U after 1 or more consecutive losses.
Kentucky Wildcats: 9-16 O/U as a favorite of 10 or more points. 9-14 O/U as a home favorite of 10 or more points. 3-6 O/U in all home games. 4-10 O/U in December games. 1-5 O/U when playing only their 2nd game in a week. 1-5 O/U after game - where they allowed a shooting pct. of 33% or less. 2-10 O/U off a home blowout win by 20 points or more.
Key Injuries
High Point Panthers: None.
Kentucky Wildcats: C. Fredrick (G) Out indefinitely - Lower Body injury.
Notable Quotes
“Execution. We were getting some good looks though both teams started pretty cold to start the game. I liked our patience and our ball movement.” - Tubby Smith on his team’s shooting in their loss against MSU.
“If he plays, we’re pretty good.” - John Calipari on his team’s win against Missouri.
Starting Lineups
High Point Panthers
Z. Austin
J. House
E. Izunabor
R. Peterson
J. Wright
Kentucky Wildcats
K. Brooks
K. Grady
O. Tshiebwe
T. Washington
S. Wheeler
Statistical Leaders
High Point Panthers
PPG: J. Wright (20)
APG: J. Wright (4.2)
Reb/G: Z. Austin (7.5)
Kentucky Wildcats
PPG: O. Tshiebwe (15.8)
APG: S. Wheeler (7.8)
Reb/G: O. Tshiebwe (15.8)
Coaches:
High Point Panthers: Tubby Smith (4th season)
Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari (13th season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
