Saint Peters vs. Kentucky Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
John Calipari’s Kentucky squad finished the season 26-7 but fell short in the SEC semifinal to Tennessee. St. Peter’s is in the tournament for the first time since 2011, and qualified as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions with a 60-54 victory over Monmouth.
Tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse goes at 7:10 p.m. EDT, with Kentucky an 18-point favourite to win and the over-under at 132 on the NCAAB odds.
Saint Peter’s vs. Kentucky NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
St. Peter’s is rolling before they go dancing. They’ve not only won seven games straight, but have covered in all seven too. They’re 3-0 in natural site games whereas Kentucky is 1-3. Kentucky finished 14-18-1 ATS this season and St. Peter’s 21-9.
Both teams do superb jobs at allowing points, but keep in mind Kentucky’s in the SEC and St. Peter’s a mid-major. But as a result, the under hit in 19 of St. Peter’s 30 games. Kentucky’s one of the best shooting teams from the field at 48.4 per cent (14th in the country) while St. Peter’s didn’t even crack the top 200 in field goal percentage (43.1;234th) and free throw percentage (68.3;288th).
Saint Peter’s Peacocks (15)
The Peacocks lack star power but have found a way to win all season. Case in point: during the Peacocks’ current seven-game win streak, only twice did their leading scorer put up over 15 points.
Guard Daryl Banks III is the team’s highest scorer with 11 points per outing. And 6’7 forward KC Ndefo is right behind with 10.6 per game while also blocking nearly three shots a contest. Both received All-MAAC honours, and both will be heavily relied on if the Peacocks are to shock the college basketball world. Junior forward Fousseyni Drame is another force down low, averaging 7.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Kentucky Wildcats (2)
Kentucky’s latest NBA prospects headline this year’s Wildcats team in Oscar Tshiebwe and TyTy Washington Jr. There’s also five-star freshman Shaedon Sharpe but the London, Ontario native decided not to play for Kentucky this season and is still a projected top-five pick.
Tshiebwe dominated this season with a team-high 17 points per outing and led the entire country with 15.1 rebounds per game. The 6’9 junior also the team leader in blocks and steals, averaging just under two in both categories. Washington Jr. started 28 games in his freshman season and was second on Kentucky with 12.8 points, and second in assists with four per game.
