CBB: Kentucky Wildcats-South Carolina Gamecocks Picks Against the Spread

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS AT KENTUCKY WILDCATS (-12.5, O/U 148), Sat., 6 p.m. ET

For a team that is undefeated in conference play and also has quality wins outside of it, South Carolina is among the least-respected ranked teams in the country.

The Gamecocks (15-3, 5-0) have started conference play on a five-game winning streak that includes double-figure wins in three of their last four.

They are doing it behind an unforgiving defense that is allowing just 59.6 points per game to SEC opponents, with a high of 68 to Texas A&M.

Needless to say, coach Frank Martin’s club will face its biggest test yet Saturday against a high-flying Kentucky (16-2, 6-0) team that is averaging more than 90 points per game.

The Wildcats are beating conference opponents by an average of 20.6 points per game, but were challenged on the road in their last outing against improved Mississippi State before emerging with an 88-81 win.

ANALYSIS

This is an extreme stylistic contrast, as the Gamecocks stifle opponents with a defense that ranks in the top five in most major categories.

They are No. 5 in the country in scoring defense (59.4 ppg), second in field-goal percentage (36.3) and the best in the country at defending the three-point shot (26.3 percent).

They are adept at disrupting and frustrating opponents, then making just enough plays on the offensive end to close out tight games.

South Carolina will be hard-pressed to duplicate this formula against a Wildcats team, led by freshmen Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox, that seems capable of exploiting any defensive game plan.

Their season low in points scored was 69 in a 21-point win against Michigan State, although Louisville held them to 70 points and 39.7 percent shooting in a 73-70 loss to the Cardinals.

SELECTION

This is a tough spot for the Gamecocks who, like most other Kentucky opponents, will be out-gunned in terms of talent and facing a raucous crowd at Rupp Arena.

Although both teams thrive on dictating tempo, the Wildcats tend to gain the upper hand in forcing opponents to match their pace in order to stand a chance of keeping up.

Moreover, Kentucky is adept at giving inspired performances when coming off a scare. The Wildcats allowed a 13-0 run in the second half against Mississippi State to make things tight down the stretch.

Coach John Calipari is sure to motivate them to avoid a similar scenario. I’d only have the favorite here.