Kentucky vs. Oakland: NCAA Tournament First Round Betting Preview, Tips And Picks – March 21, 2024

Written By PlayPicks Staff on March 18, 2024

Antonio Reeves and Trey Townsend will be the players to watch when the Kentucky Wildcats (23-9) meet the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (23-11) in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Thursday at 7:10 PM ET at PPG Paints Arena. Thursday’s matchup between the Wildcats and the Golden Grizzlies features the Wildcats as sizable 13-point favorites. The point total for the matchup is set at 160.

Kentucky vs. Oakland Betting Lines

Kentucky vs Oakland Betting Information
Favorite Spread Total
Kentucky -13 160 points

Computer Picks

Spread Pick Oakland (+13)
Total Pick Under (160)

Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score. Ready to put your picks to the test for this matchup? Check out DraftKings Sportsbook and sign up using our link for the best first-time depositor bonus!

Kentucky vs. Oakland Stat Rankings

Kentucky Avg. (Rank) Oakland Avg. (Rank)
89.4 (2nd) Points Scored 76.4 (97th)
79.7 (344th) Points Allowed 72.9 (216th)
(1st) Rebounds (1st)
8.8 (188th) Off. Rebounds 9.5 (127th)
10.0 (14th) 3pt Made 8.6 (64th)
17.8 (10th) Assists 14.4 (101st)
10.4 (99th) Turnovers 10.9 (146th)

Kentucky vs. Oakland Betting Trends

  • The Wildcats are 18-14-0 against the spread this year.
  • Against the spread as 13-point favorites or more, Kentucky is 5-7.
  • This year, 23 of the Wildcats’ 32 games have hit the over.
  • Kentucky’s games have finished with more than 160 points 23 times so far this season.
  • Wildcats games average 169.1 total points per game this season, 9.1 points higher than the over/under for this matchup.
  • Against the spread, Oakland is 20-13-1 this year.
  • The Golden Grizzlies have an ATS record of 3-1 as 13-point underdogs or greater.
  • Kentucky has played 32 games this year, and 23 of them have hit the over.
  • There have been eight Golden Grizzlies games this year with more than 160 points scored.
  • Oakland’s games average 149.3 total points, 10.7 less than the total for this matchup.

Best Betting Site For Kentucky vs. Oakland

Not yet a DraftKings Sportsbook user? Sign up using our link and get a $50 bonus bet when you deposit, plus a deposit bonus!

Kentucky Impact Players

  • Reeves is tops on his team in points per contest (20.0), and also averages 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Defensively, he posts 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocked shots.
  • Reed Sheppard puts up a team-high 4.5 assists per game. He is also posting 12.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 54.0% from the field and 52.5% from downtown (first in the country) with 2.4 made 3-pointers per contest.
  • Rob Dillingham is posting 15.3 points, 4.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
  • Tre Mitchell posts a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per contest. He is also averaging 10.6 points and 2.7 assists, shooting 48.3% from the field and 31.3% from downtown with 1.0 made 3-pointers per game.
  • D.j. Wagner posts 10.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest, shooting 41.1% from the floor and 31.0% from downtown with 1.0 made 3-pointers per contest.

Oakland Impact Players

  • Townsend is the Golden Grizzlies’ top scorer (16.9 points per game) and rebounder (7.8), and delivers 2.9 assists.
  • Jack Gohlke is putting up 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, making 37.5% of his shots from the floor and 37.0% from beyond the arc, with 3.6 triples per game (second in college basketball).
  • Blake Lampman is the Golden Grizzlies’ top assist man (3.0 per game), and he puts up 13.2 points and 3.2 rebounds.
  • Chris Conway is putting up 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, making 54.2% of his shots from the floor.
  • DQ Cole is posting 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, making 48.3% of his shots from the floor and 35.2% from beyond the arc, with 1.3 treys per game.

Not all sportsbook offers available in all areas and are subject to change, check sportsbooks for details on available offers in your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please gamble responsibly. Call or chat with 1-800-GAMBLER if you or someone you know has a gambling problem.

PlayPicks Staff Avatar
Written by
PlayPicks Staff

PlayPicks staff has years of sports betting and DFS knowledge and we share all of that with you for free daily.

View all posts by PlayPicks Staff
Privacy Policy