Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds – Wildcats use Rupp crowd, post play to continue home streak against Rebels

Online betting players can still feel safe that Kentucky will end up in the Final Four, as they showed some heart by recovering from a loss with a big win at home. The Wildcats will host Ole Miss, who hasn’t won in Lexington in over a decade, and with their best defensive post player hobbling, look for Kentucky to expose the Rebels down low.

The Storyline: Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds
The Rebels (16-5, 4-2) surprisingly found themselves in the top 25, but they may drop out after an 80-73 loss at home to Arkansas on Sunday night. The Wildcats (20-1, 5-1) may have given up the top spot in the country with their loss at South Carolina last week, but they bounced back with an 85-72 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Ole Miss hasn’t won at Kentucky since 1998, a span of eight games.

Offensive Matchups: Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds
The Rebels are 17th in the nation in both scoring and three-point field goals, powered by the guard duo of Chris Warren and Terrico White. But Ole Miss missed 16 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc against Arkansas, and they desperately need a scoring option inside besides Murphy Holloway.

The Wildcats are 11th in scoring, and they got back on track against Vanderbilt after struggling against South Carolina. Kentucky went 12-of-23 from three-point land, while DeMarcus Cousins held down the fort in the post with 21 points.  Because of their weapons and their ability to go inside and out, it’s tough for anyone in the nation to slow down UK.

Betting Edge: Kentucky

Defensive Matchups: Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds
Ole Miss’ sportsbook odds may take a hit with an injury to Reginald Buckner, the Rebels’ best shotblocker. Buckner’s ankle injury prevented him from playing against Arkansas, and the Razorbacks took advantage of this in the post. The Rebels are also 187th in rebounding and 186th in scoring defense, so they could be in trouble against Cousins and Patrick Patterson of Kentucky.

Cousins’ 10 rebounds powered Kentucky to a 39-21 edge on the glass against Vanderbilt, and the Wildcats are second in the country in rebound margin. John Wall and Eric Bledsoe are freshman terrors on the perimeter as well, harassing the opposition as soon as they get across halfcourt.

Betting Edge: Kentucky

Coaching Matchup: Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds
Andy Kennedy has had the Rebels on the brink of the NCAA Tournament over the last couple of seasons, but the Ole Miss faithful is eager to go dancing after two straight years in the NIT. Kennedy has fared well despite the lack of a post scorer, and he’s got very experienced guards.

John Calipari had his team ready to play after their loss to South Carolina, and falling to the Gamecocks may have been the best thing to happen to Calipari, as it showed his talented but young squad that they can’t just depend on their skills.

Betting Edge: Michigan StateKentucky

Betting Prediction: Ole Miss vs Kentucky Betting Odds
The Wildcats will definitely be favored on Tuesday, given Ole Miss’ history in Lexington: the Rebels have won there just once since 1976. There are few teams that can handle Kentucky in the post, and Ole Miss will have a tough job if Buckner can’t play. Cousins has had four double-doubles in a row, and the Wildcats look to be back on track. If Ole Miss can’t hit their three-point shots, they will be a rout.

Washington’s Pick: Kentucky

For more sports betting tips and analysis on the road to the Final Four, check out Washington in the Betting Edge at BetOnline.