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Richmond vs Kentucky Odds, Lines, and Spread

John Hyslop

by John Hyslop in College Basketball

Updated Nov 28, 2020 · 6:25 PM PST

Olivier Sarr (30) of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team shooting a shot in front of two Morehead State players.
Kentucky's Olivier Sarr (30) shoots between Morehead State's James Baker (3) and Johni Broome (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
  • The Richmond Spiders face off with the Kentucky Wildcats in the final game of the Bluegrass Showcase at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky at 1 pm EST on Sunday
  • Both teams opened their seasons with blowout wins over Morehead State
  • See the odds, spread, analysis and best bet below

Richmond returns four starters from a team that went 24-7 last season including a 14-4 mark in conference play. They are small favorites to win the A-10 at +250.

Sunday’s game is considered to be the first “real” test for Kentucky before they play a very difficult non-conference schedule that includes games against Kansas, UCLA and Louisville.

This will mark the first time these two teams have played in their history, and Kentucky is favored by 7.5 points in this matchup.

Richmond Spiders vs Kentucky Wildcats Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Richmond Spiders +7.5 (-118) +265 144.5 (-115)
Kentucky Wildcats -7.5 (-104) -330 144.5 (-105)

Odds as of November 28th at FanDuel

Richmond is No Joke

Richmond needed their size to dominate Morehead State on Friday scoring 52 of their 82 points in the paint in an 18 point win. As a team they shot 56% from the floor which included a less than stellar 29% from beyond the arc.

Nathan Cayo matched a career high 23 points on a perfect 10-10 shooting night from the floor. The Spiders will need their seniors to step up this season after losing guard, Nick Sherod, earlier this Fall to a knee injury. Cayo did just that while tossing in two blocks to go along with his offensive dominance.

The Richmond Spiders are far from a one-trick pony as three other starters all reached double digits in points against Morehead State. Grant Golden scored 16 to go along with rebounds and assists. Both Jacob Gilyard and Blake Francis chipped in 13 points in the win.

Kentucky is Impressive

Kentucky beat down Morehead State in their opener every way possible but most impressively on defense. The Wildcats held the Eagles to a dismal 34% shooting night from the floor including a 3-21 effort from three-point land. Kentucky out rebounded Morehead State 35-22 which only made matters worse.

Brandon Boston looked every bit as advertised in his first collegiate game putting up a 15 point, 7 rebound line. It wasn’t the most efficient shooting game as he went 7-14 but that did include an 0-4 mark from downtown. Otherwise he was electric and should be a name to remember as the season goes on.

6’7″ freshman guard from Boston, Massachusetts, Terrence Clarke, also turned heads in this game. At his size, he will be a problem for any team in the country facing Kentucky. He stuffed the stat sheet against Morehead State with a line of 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Best Bet for Saturday Afternoon

It’s hard to imagine being confident in the Richmond Spiders beating the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday but it is not out of the question. At this point in the season, it can be argued that experience is more important than anything else. Especially given the unusual offseason each team was forced to endure.

Kentucky started four freshmen last time out and that should be the expectation on Sunday. Their youth showed at times against an outclassed Morehead State team but that might not be the case against Richmond. The Spiders are starting two seniors and two grad students all of which returned from last year’s team.

If Richmond can hold down the fort inside and force Kentucky into jump shots from range, they should have a chance in this one. Terrence Clark and Brandon Boston combined to go 0-6 from beyond the arc in their first game so that could be a strategy worth exploring. I am not sold that Richmond can win this game outright but I do think they can keep it close enough to cover.

Pick: Richmond +7.5

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