<p>
In the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the South Region, the 12th seed Davidson Wildcats (21-11) face the 5th seed Kentucky Wildcats (24-10) in a game at the neutral site of the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho at 7:10 PM ET Thursday, March 15.
</p>
<p>
Kentucky is the 5.5-point favorite for this opening round game with the total on NCAA board at 144.
</p>
<p>
In their last game, Davidson beat Rhode Island 58-57 in the Atlantic 10 championship game getting not only the victory but also the "point spread cover" as a +2.5 underdog. The 115 points scored by the two clubs fell well short of 139 total line.
</p>
<p>
Kellan Grady was the top scorer for the Wildcats picking up 17 points on 6 of 13 shooting, and Peyton Aldridge scored 13 points as the only other player for the team to go for double figures. E.C. Mathews was the high scorer for the Rams with 20 points on 7 of 16 shooting, and he also had eight rebounds and was the only player for the squad to go for double figures.
</p>
<p>
For the game, Davidson only shot 38% from the floor, but their defensive play was strong holding the Rhode Island team to a 38.5 FG%, and the Rams lost the game at the free throw line shooting a feeble 52.9%. Davidson has won four in a row and eight of their last nine games and is a positive 4-2 on the season in games held at a neutral site.
</p>
<div class="promo">
<p>
<b>BEST UNDERDOG LINES:</b> <a class="advblue" href="javascript:GoTo(Bovada)">BOVADA SPORTSBOOK:</a> VOTED PLAYERS FAVORITE! RECEIVE A 50% BONUS - CREDIT CARDS WORK THERE!
</p>
</div>
<p>
Kentucky beat Tennessee in their latest a 77-72 victory in the SEC championship game. The Wildcats covered against the spread as a two-point dog and 146 points scoring the game had OVER bettors cashing at the windows. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the high scorer for the Wildcats recording 29 points on 10 of 16 shooting and added seven rebounds and four players on the team went for double figures. Admiral Schofield was the leading scorer for the Volunteers with 22 points on 7 of 15 shooting, and he picked up ten rebounds. Kentucky outscored Tennessee by five points in the first half and had to fight hard to the buzzer to win the SEC title. In the game, they shot 50% from the floor and held the Volunteers to 37.1% shooting. Kentucky comes into this tournament strong having won three in a row and seven of their last eight games. They like their opponent tonight have a neutral court Won/Loss record of 4-2.
</p>
<p>
Davidson ranks 84th in the nation in ppg and 60th in opponents’ ppg, and Kentucky ranked 91st in ppg and tied for 121st in opponents’ ppg.
</p>
<p>
This game will be the first-ever meeting between these teams.
</p>
<p>
This season Davidson is 18-12-1 ATS with an O/U record of 13-18 and Kentucky is 17-17 ATS with an O/U record of 20-13.
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/matchup/965310"&gt; Davidson at Kentucky NCAAB Match-Up</a></span>
</p>
<h2>
SAGARIN RATINGS<br />
</h2>
<p>
Davidson: 82.13<br />
Kentucky: 88.15
</p>
<h3>
INJURY REPORT<br />
</h3>
<p>
<b>DAVIDSON </b>
</p>
<p>
[F] 01/11/2018 - Nathan Ekwu is out for season ( Knee )<br />
[F] 01/11/2018 - Dusan Kovacevic is out for season ( Knee )<br />
[G] 01/07/2018 - Luke Frampton is out for season ( Knee )
</p>
<p>
<b>KENTUCKY </b>
</p>
<p>
[F] 03/13/2018 - Jarred Vanderbilt is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs. Davidson ( Ankle )<br />
[F] 02/05/2018 - Tai Wynyard is out for season ( Suspension )<br />
[G] 11/06/2017 - Jemarl Baker is out for season ( Knee )
</p>
<h2>
Davidson at Kentucky Key Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
DAV is 4-0 ATS in their last four games
</li>
<li>
DAV is 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games
</li>
<li>
DAV has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games
</li>
<li>
UK is 7-1 ATS in their last eight games
</li>
<li>
UK is 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games
</li>
<li>
UK has an Over record of 7-1 in their previous eight games
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="color:#008000;">Search for the best odds:</span></strong> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/odds">Live College Basketball Lines</a></span>
</p>