Kentucky has struggled as small favorite this season

Kentucky has had some big moments in year one under Mark Pope. The Wildcats have won outright as a underdog three times with wins over Duke, Gonzaga, and Mississippi State. UK has even covered multiple big spreads in non-conference play. The Wildcats enter this weekend firmly on the No. 2 line in mock brackets.

But this team has struggled as a small favorite. That is concerning heading into the matchup against Vanderbilt where the Cats are laying 3.5 points on the road.

Kentucky has been a single-digit favorite in seven games this season. The Cats are 3-4 outright and just 2-5 against-the-spread (ATS) as a small favorite. Pope’s team is still looking for its first road win as a single-digit favorite this year.

• Kentucky (-1.5) at Clemson | Tigers 70, Cats 66
• Kentucky (-9.5) vs. Louisville | Cats 93, Cards 85
• Kentucky (-7.5) vs. Ohio State | Buckeyes 85, Cats 65
• Kentucky (-3.5) vs. Florida | Cats 106, Gators 100
• Kentucky (-1.5) at Georgia | Dawgs 82, Cats 69
• Kentucky (-7) vs. Texas A&M | Cats 81, Aggies 69
• Kentucky (-2.5) vs. Alabama | Tide 102, Cats 97

Kentucky has been a favorite of three points or less three times and lost each game. The last time that Kentucky was a 3.5-point favorite, the Wildcats needed 14 three-point field goals and 106 points to hold off Florida at Rupp Arena. UK has played some of their worst games all season as a small favorite.

Eventually, Kentucky will need to win some games on the road as a small favorite. KenPom projects the Wildcats to be a small road favorite against Texas and Oklahoma. The season finale against Missouri is close to a pick ’em. Pope’s team must be this small trend flipped.

Will this all get turned around on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym? We will find out soon.