Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Prediction: Rebels Looking for Road Upset

Ole Miss will travel to Lexington to battle the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky enters this game as the 22nd-ranked team in the nation, but they’re on upset alert at home.

Ole Miss isn’t a ranked team, but they have talent throughout their roster, and this should make for a competitive game.

The Rebels are 18-5, while the Wildcats are 18-7, so both teams have been very similar in the SEC this season.

The two players to watch this season are Matthew Murrell for Ole Miss and Antonio Reeves for Kentucky. Look for these two players to battle, and the one who plays better will give their team a great chance to win. 

The opening tip for this SEC tilt is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET and can be viewed on ESPN. Here, we will break down the entire matchup and give our best bets for Ole Miss vs. Kentucky.

Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Betting Odds for Tuesday, Feb. 13 

Kentucky is favored by 8.5 points on Tuesday. This is a fair line because of Kentucky’s hostile road environment, but overall, Ole Miss can play with the Wildcats.

This should be a fast-paced game, with a lot of offense. Neither team has been good on defense, and it’s the reason it’s hard to trust them in the conference against strong defensive teams.

We shouldn’t see much defense on Tuesday, so keep an eye on the over of 163.5. Check out the full list of odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.  

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The SEC is known for explosive basketball, and that’s exactly what Tuesday’s game between Ole Miss and Kentucky will bring.

The reason these teams have won games is because of their elite scoring. When their offenses go downhill, they’re susceptible to bad performances because they don’t get much spark on the defensive side of the floor.

The pressure will be on Ole Miss from the opening tip. They have a challenge on the road, and also with their overall record. 

The Rebels will be fighting not to drop their third game in a row. The team is 5-5 in the SEC, so they haven’t been able to find much consistency.

The team has a massive upside, but the lack of authority in the backcourt is difficult to overcome. The key for Ole Miss on Tuesday is Murrell getting off to a fast start.

He is the player who sets the tone for his team, and he will have to win this contest for the Rebels. Allen Flanigan is the other player to watch for Ole Miss.

Flanigan has played a nice supporting role for Murrell and made big shots throughout the year. Ole Miss is 60th in the KenPom ratings, and this includes the 130th position in adjusted defensive efficiency. 

Kentucky has a very bad defense, and they’re on the same tier as Mississippi in the backcourt. The Wildcats have the fifth-best offense in the country according to KenPom, but they’re 125th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Neither of these teams have a realistic chance at winning championships in 2024 because of their defensive efficiency. Yet, when their offenses are clicking, it’s very fun to watch.

Kentucky is coming off a four-point home loss to Gonzaga. The Wildcats were a 4.5-point favorite at home and came up short. Yet, they allowed 89 points and their defensive flaws were on display all night.

Reeves has been the leader of the offense. He averages just under 20 points per game, shooting 50% from the field. 

Rob Dillingham has also been solid for the Wildcats. He has scored 20 points in three of his past four games, so look for him to stay hot against the Rebels.

If Reeves and Dillingham come to play, Ole Miss could have a tough time maintaining the scoring pace. This could end things early and give Kentucky the quick win. 

Nevertheless, both defenses have been shaky so look for this fact to play a significant factor in the game’s outcome.

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Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Prediction and Betting Pick

While Kentucky is at home, and the better team, we still believe Ole Miss can compete in this game. If the Rebels are hot from the field, there isn’t a reason to think they won’t have success.

Picking a side in this matchup is risky. The 8.5-point margin is making us lean toward Ole Miss, but if buckets aren’t falling, the 8.5 points could disappear rapidly. 

Our favorite play in this game is the over of 163.5. Both offenses have been relatively trustworthy thus far, but their defenses have been consistently horrible.

Kentucky, the 22nd-ranked team in the nation, is allowing just under 80 points per game, which is 338th in America. Ole Miss allows 71.4 points per game, and this is 170th in the country.

We don’t have faith in either defense, and the pace of this game will lead to points. Take the over of 163.5.

Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Pick: Over 163.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook

How to Watch Ole Miss vs. Kentucky

• When: Tuesday, Feb. 13 @ 9:00 PM ET

• Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY 

• TV: ESPN

• Streaming: ESPN+

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