Saturday’s contest at Rupp Arena has the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) matching up with the Bucknell Bison (2-0) at 4:00 PM ET (on November 9). Our computer prediction projects a close 80-78 win for Kentucky, so expect a competitive matchup.

Based on our computer prediction, Bucknell should cover the point spread, which currently sits at 21.5. The two teams are projected to exceed the 152.5 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 -21.5
• Point total: 152.5
• Moneyline (to win): Kentucky -7143, Bucknell +2000

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Kentucky vs. Bucknell Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Kentucky 80, Bucknell 78

Spread & Total Prediction for Kentucky vs. Bucknell

• Pick ATS: Bucknell (+21.5)
• Pick OU: Over (152.5)

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Kentucky Performance Insights

• Last season, Kentucky was second-best in college basketball on offense (89.0 points scored per game) but 15th-worst on defense (79.7 points conceded).
• The Wildcats were 67th in the nation in rebounds per game (34.3) and 280th in rebounds conceded (33.3) last season.
• With 17.5 assists per game, Kentucky was 13th-best in the nation last season.
• Last season, the Wildcats were 16th-best in college basketball in 3-point makes (9.9 per game), and best in 3-point percentage (40.9%).
• Kentucky gave up 8.6 3-pointers per game and conceded 33.2% from beyond the arc last year, ranking 319th and 151st, respectively, in college basketball.
• Kentucky attempted 37.5% percent of its shots from behind the 3-point line last season, and 31% of its made shots are from there. Inside the 3-point line, it took 62.5% of its shots, with 69% of its makes coming from there.

Bucknell Performance Insights

• Bucknell put up just 65.2 points per game (16th-worst in college basketball) last year, but it played better on defense, where it allowed 67.2 points per game (50th-ranked).
• The Bison struggled to collect rebounds last season, ranking 25th-worst in college basketball with 29.2 rebounds per game. They ranked 135th by allowing 30.8 rebounds per contest.
• Bucknell ranked 269th in college basketball with 12.1 assists per contest.
• Last season the Bison committed 11.3 turnovers per game (189th-ranked in college basketball) and forced 10.2 turnovers per contest (280th-ranked).
• The Bison made 8.2 threes per game (101st-ranked in college basketball). They sported a 33.8% shooting percentage (190th-ranked) from beyond the arc.
• Bucknell ceded 7.6 treys per game (223rd-ranked in college basketball) last season, while allowing a 32.4% three-point percentage (101st-ranked).
• When it comes to shot breakdown, Bucknell took 55.1% two-pointers (accounting for 64.5% of the team’s buckets) and 44.9% threes (35.5%).

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