Georgia vs. Kentucky: How to watch, odds, picks, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

It has been a busy week for the athletics programs, albeit for different reasons, at Georgia and Kentucky. However, both schools will now hit the hardwood and face each other for the first time this season.

As we head into this late-night SEC matchup in Lexington, several outlets have released their odds, predictions, and projections for how this game will go between the Bulldogs, who currently sit fifth in the SEC, and the Wildcats in ninth.

How to watch Georgia vs. Kentucky

Tip-off: 9 p.m. EST

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky

Channel: ESPN

Vegas odds

Kentucky is a 10.5-point favorite over Georgia on Tuesday according to VegasInsider. The over-under is set at 135.5 points.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: Kentucky

Predicted point differential: 11.1

Win probability (for Kentucky): 85.4%

Matchup quality: 73.6

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has Georgia vs. Kentucky ranked as the 11th highest-rated game on Thursday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Kentucky 72, Georgia 64

Win probability (for Kentucky): 77%

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. Like ESPN, KenPom also projects that the Wildcats will come away with a victory over the Bulldogs.

More on Georgia vs. Kentucky

As the Bulldogs head to the Bluegrass, they’re making the case as the surprise of the SEC season so far. Mike White has his team rolling as they’ve entered league play winning six of their last seven after opening at 7-3. A big part of that has been their defense as they’ve held their opponents to 57.3 points per game in their three conference wins so far. They’re also an experienced group as both Kario Oquendo and Braelen Bridges lead the way for the returnees in Athens while Terry Roberts, a transfer from Bradley, leads them in scoring at 15.6 points per game.

With Kentucky, they’re coming off their biggest week of the season. After dropping a home game to South Carolina on Tuesday night, criticism of the Wildcats couldn’t have been higher. That all changed, though, with one of the best road wins by any team this year as they knocked off No. 5 Tennessee in Knoxville. Without former Georgia guard Sahvir Wheeler, they hunkered down and found a way to win in hostile territory to get their campaign back on track. Avoiding another loss on their home floor against SEC competition tonight, though, might do even more for their future.

As the Gamecocks proved a week ago, Kentucky is as vulnerable as anyone in their building. That’s a fact Georgia will have to try to exploit again tonight while the Wildcats will once again have to find a way to hold serve.