Kansas vs. Kentucky Predictions, Picks & Odds: Will Jayhawks Make Statement in Champions Classic?

For the nightcap of Tuesday's Champions Classic doubleheader, here is our best Kansas vs. Kentucky prediction based on the best college basketball odds.

The top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks are off to a 2-0 start and have fared well in the history of the Champions Classic, winning six of their last seven appearances in this event. No. 17 Kentucky (2-0), meanwhile, might be flying a bit under the radar due to a young and short-handed rotation to begin the season.

With a spread north of two possessions, will the Jayhawks flex their muscles in a matchup featuring the top-two winningest programs in college basketball history? 

To accompany our college basketball best bets for Tuesday, here is our best Kansas vs. Kentucky prediction for Tuesday's Champions Classic, and don't miss our Duke vs. Michigan State predictions (odds via our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Kansas vs. Kentucky prediction

Kevin McCullar Jr. Over 13.5 points (-113 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Perhaps we should be skeptical of how easy this appears to be, but Kevin McCullar Jr.'s betting lines are simply too low. His assist prop has been set at 2.5 with the Over listed at plus-money, while his points prop is trading at 13.5 across our best sports betting sites. After getting burned by an assist prop in the last Kansas game, I'm going to hit the points market instead.

McCullar had a points prop of 13.5 in the season opener, only to shatter that mark in a 22-point effort. He followed that up with a 15-point performance in limited action against Manhattan last Friday. This comes after McCullar cleared 20 points in both exhibition contests, scoring 25 against Illinois and 21 against Fort Hays State.

McCullar, who averaged 10.7 points per game last season, might be taking a senior leap for Kansas this year. At the very least, his usage rating of 25.2% suggests that his markets should be a touch higher across the board. I wouldn't be surprised if McCullar is trading at roughly 14.5 points and 3.5 assists in the very near future.

Kentucky doesn't have enough bodies in the frontcourt, forcing Tre Mitchell to play a small-ball five. Conventional wisdom would say 7-foot-2 Hunter Dickinson should have a field day, but that's also why his points prop is trading two points higher than it was in Game 1.

McCullar is capable of playing 1-4, and is likely going to be on the floor a ton if this game is closer than the current spread would indicate. Expect the veteran to make enough plays to clear this points total in a KU win on the big stage.

Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets

Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook

Kansas vs. Kentucky best odds

This line is trading at 13.5 at three of our five best sports betting apps as of Tuesday afternoon. FanDuel offers the best odds to take the Over, but this five-star pick is worth playing at -120 or better.

DraftKings offers plus-money odds on a similar bet through the alternate market, thanks to a +105 value on 15-plus points for McCullar. We prefer the edge on the current Over, but certainly wouldn't blame anyone for taking the plus-money odds.

Kansas vs. Kentucky odds

FanDuel first installed Kansas as a 5.5-point favorite, but the market has pushed this spread out to -7 at our best sportsbooks. The total opened at 150.5 before dropping down to a consensus price of 147.5.

Kansas vs. Kentucky game info

• When: Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
• How to watch: ESPN

Kansas-Kentucky prediction made 11/14/2023 at 2:10 p.m. ET.

March Madness betting odds pages

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.