Kentucky Wildcats vs Missouri Tigers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/08/2025

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 8, 2025

Venue:  Mizzou Arena, Columbia, MO

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Mizzou -4.5; Over/Under:  169.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Mizzou -4.5; Over/Under:  169.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +4.5, Mizzou -4.5; Over/Under:  169.5 points

Kentucky Wildcats:  20-10 (9-8) (8th place, SEC)

Missouri Tigers:  21-9 (10-7) (5th place, SEC)

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Kentucky Wildcats:  3-2  last 5

Missouri Tigers:  2-3  last 5

Kentucky is entering this game with a 20-10 record overall, a 9-8 record in conference games, and they are 3-6 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the LSU Tigers in their last game. Otega Oweh led the team in points in that game with 24 while Brandon Garrison and Ansley Almonor each were next on the team with 15. Lamont Butler led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Otega Oweh led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 50.7% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 76.8 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 15-15 this season and their O/U record is 17-13.

Missouri is entering this game with a 21-9 record overall, a 10-7 conference record, and they are 18-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Oklahoma Sooners in their last game. Mark Mitchell led the team in points in that game with 18 while Caleb Grill was next on the team with 16. Marques Warrick led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Caleb Grill led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 46.7% from the field, 29% from 3-point range, and 79.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.6 PPG against them. Missouri has an ATS record of 17-13 this season and their O/U record is 18-12.

The current betting odds have Missouri listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Missouri has looked really good in their games this season with their 21-9 record overall and their 10-7 conference record which has them in the top half of the SEC. They have looked great on their home court this year with their 18-1 home record, one of the best home records in the entire nation. Meanwhile, Kentucky has looked good in their games this season with their 20-10 record overall and their 9-8 conference record which has them in the top half of the SEC. They haven't been a good road team though with their 3-6 road record. Kentucky has struggled a lot on the road this season and they haven't been at their best lately either, going 3-2 in their last 5 games. They have been able to beat up on the bad teams in their conference, but these road games against ranked opponents have been really tough for them. Missouri hasn't been any better lately as they are 2-3 in their last 5 games and are coming off a bad loss to Oklahoma in their last one, but even their 3 losses in these last 5 games have been in road games. They have been very tough to beat at home all season with only 1 loss on their home court, and they have beaten some very good teams there too. Missouri hasn't been at their best lately, but they will bring their best effort here to bounce back in their last home game of the regular season, and they can take advantage of how bad Kentucky has been in road games this season. The best way to place a bet here is on Missouri to cover the spread in this game. 

Kentucky Missouri Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 8, 2025 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Missouri 88 Kentucky 74.

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Kentucky Wildcats: 16-26 ATS off a home win. 17-26 ATS after scoring 85 points or more. 26-38 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 61-36 OVER in all games. 8-1 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 27-16 OVER after scoring 85 points or more.

Missouri Tigers: 12-3 ATS versus good passing teams, averaging 16 assists/game or more. 26-16 ATS versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game. 27-16 ATS versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more. 25-18 OVER versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more. 3-0 OVER off an upset loss as a road favorite.

Kentucky Wildcats:  J. Robinson (G) Out - Undisclosed. K. Kriisa (G) Out - Foot.

Missouri Tigers:  None.

“The end goal is to raise a trophy and hang a banner, and we’ve grown in all the ways that we could grow as fast as we could possibly grow.” - Mark Pope on his team with the regular season almost over.

"I think your identity as a team is consistency. And that's my concentration and message to our guys. We know what's on the line in March. It's March and it's conference season, and everything that we do and say has to match." - Dennis Gates on his team with the regular season almost over. 

L. Butler 

A. Carr 

O. Oweh 

J. Robinson 

A. Williams

T. Bates 

M. Mitchell 

T. Perkins 

T. Pierce 

A. Robinson

PPG: O. Oweh (16)

APG: L. Butler (4.5)

Reb/G: A. Williams (8.7)

PPG: C. Grill (14.4)

APG: A. Robinson (3.5)

Reb/G: J. Gray (5.1)

Coaches:

Kentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope (1st season)

Missouri Tigers: Dennis Gates (3rd season)