Saturday’s contest features the Bucknell Bison (2-0) and the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) facing off at Rupp Arena in what should be a tight matchup, with a projected 80-78 victory for Bucknell according to our computer prediction. Tipoff is at 4:00 PM ET on November 9.

According to our computer prediction, Bucknell should cover the spread, which is currently listed at 20.5. The two sides are projected to exceed the 151.5 over/under.

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Kentucky vs. Bucknell Game Info & Odds

• Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
• Time: 4:00 PM ET
• TV: SEC Network+
• Where: Lexington, Kentucky
• Venue: Rupp Arena
• Line: Kentucky -20.5
• Point total: 151.5
• Moneyline (to win): Kentucky -4545, Bucknell +1600

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Kentucky vs. Bucknell Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Bucknell 80, Kentucky 78

Spread & Total Prediction for Kentucky vs. Bucknell

• Pick ATS: Bucknell (+20.5)
• Pick OU: Over (151.5)

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Kentucky Performance Insights

• Last season, Kentucky was second-best in college basketball offensively (89.0 points scored per game) but 15th-worst on defense (79.7 points allowed).
• The Wildcats were 67th in the country in rebounds per game (34.3) and 280th in rebounds allowed (33.3) last year.
• Kentucky was 13th-best in college basketball in assists (17.5 per game) last season.
• The Wildcats were the 16th-best squad in the country in 3-pointers made (9.9 per game) and best in 3-point percentage (40.9%) last year.
• Giving up 8.6 3-pointers per game and conceding 33.2% from downtown last year, Kentucky was 319th and 151st in the country, respectively, in those categories.
• The Wildcats took 62.5% of their shots from inside the arc, and 37.5% from beyond it last year. In terms of makes, 69% of the Wildcats’ buckets were 2-pointers, and 31% were 3-pointers.

Bucknell Performance Insights

• While Bucknell ranked in the bottom 25 in college basketball in points per game last year with 65.2 (16th-worst), it ranked 50th in college basketball with 67.2 points given up per contest.
• The Bison found it difficult to pile up rebounds last season, ranking 25th-worst in college basketball with 29.2 rebounds per game. They ranked 135th by allowing 30.8 boards per contest.
• Last year Bucknell ranked 269th in college basketball in assists, delivering 12.1 per game.
• The Bison ranked 189th in college basketball with 11.3 turnovers per game last season. Meanwhile, they ranked 280th with 10.2 forced turnovers per game.
• With 8.2 treys per game, the Bison were 101st in the nation. They had a 33.8% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, which ranked 190th in college basketball.
• With 7.6 treys conceded per game, Bucknell was 223rd in college basketball. It gave up a 32.4% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, which ranked 101st in college basketball.
• Last season Bucknell took 55.1% two-pointers, accounting for 64.5% of the team’s baskets. It shot 44.9% from beyond the arc (35.5% of the team’s baskets).

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