Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Sledgehammer Special — SGP: Mississippi State ML, OVER 146.5 (+104, CZR)
Cam Newton scrapping with a multitude of random aggressors, fending them off while staying upright the entire fracas with his stylish feathered black hat completely undisturbed.
That, my fellow betting friends, is what the action will mimic in Starkville on Tuesday night.
In a SEC battle between projected single-digit NCAA Tournament seeds, the fists are bound to fly. Which team lands a knockout punch?
The Wildcats are exhibiting characteristics of a Final Four contender. The offense was always electric, but defensively they’ve finally decided that guarding guys is important, especially away from Rupp Arena.
On the road this season, Kentucky is No. 15 nationally in eFG defense, limiting opponents to only 44.9% shooting on 2-pointers. Though unchallenging on 3s (44.1 3PT% D since Feb. 1), the efforts shown against Ole Miss, Auburn, LSU and Alabama are very encouraging.
Again, scoring the rock is UK's calling card. Antonio Reeves (44.9 3PT%), Rob Dillingham (45.2 3PT%) and Reed Sheppard (51.4 3PT%) get buckets, particularly when rifling from the perimeter. Unsurprisingly, Kentucky is tops in all of college basketball in 3-point percentage (41.0%).
Overall, since Feb. 1, the Wildcats are the 14th-deadliest offense in the country, per eFG data, shooting 54.1% inside the arc and 44.1% outside of it. They’re also top-20 in adjusted tempo. Racing past 70 points has become routine.
In their own right, the Bulldogs have earned their fair share of belly scratches. Though unheralded compared to Big Blue Nation, Chris Jans’ team is 11-2 straight up at home. MSU is only decent offensively (No. 132 eFG offense this month), but on the opposite end of the floor, it executes at a high level.
Space eater Tolu Smith routinely erases interior shots. Outside the arc, the Bulldogs have allowed only 27.6% shooting in their past seven games.
Final buzzer: The above ticket cashes IF Mississippi State wins the glass battle and removes the clip from Kentucky’s host of gunners. Yes, the Wildcats will stress a breakneck pace, but the home team is a willing runner.
Unlike the first fisticuffs in Lexington — a 90-77 UK victory — Coach Cal’s club won’t benefit from a 27-10 free-throw advantage.
Season record: 8-5, +3.53 units
BONUS TIME — Houston -7 1st half vs. Cincinnati (-110, FD)