Kentucky vs. Florida prediction, odds, time: 2023 college basketball picks, Feb. 22 best bets by proven model
The Kentucky Wildcats go for the season sweep over the Florida Gators when they meet in SEC action on Wednesday night. The Wildcats (18-9, 9-5 SEC), who are 4-4 on the road this season, have won two in a row, including a 66-54 win over Tennessee on Saturday. The Gators (14-13, 7-7), who have lost five of seven, have dropped their last three games against Kentucky. Florida fell 84-65 at Arkansas on Saturday.
Tip-off from Gainesville, Florida, is set for 7 p.m. ET. Kentucky leads the all-time series 108-41, including a 39-26 series edge in games played in Gainesville. The Wildcats are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Kentucky vs. Florida odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 140.5. Before making any Florida vs. Kentucky picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 16 of the season 71-42 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Kentucky vs. Florida and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Florida vs. Kentucky:
- Kentucky vs. Florida spread: Kentucky -2.5
- Kentucky vs. Florida over/under: 140.5 points
- Kentucky vs. Florida money line: Kentucky -140, Florida +118
- UK: The Wildcats are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games
- FLA: The Gators are 4-1 ATS in their last five Wednesday games
- Kentucky vs. Florida picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game| Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Why Kentucky can cover
Senior forward Jacob Toppin has been on fire of late, scoring in double digits in each of his last 10 games, including three double-doubles during that stretch. He scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Feb. 4 meeting with Florida. He also scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 69-53 win at Vanderbilt on Jan. 24. Toppin scored a season-high 24 points in an 86-63 win over Louisville on Dec. 31. For the season, he is averaging 11.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Freshman guard Cason Wallace will be looking for a repeat performance against the Gators. In the first matchup, he was dominant, scoring 20 points, blocking three shots, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists. For the season, Wallace is averaging 11.8 points, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He is connecting on 45.5% of his field goals and 72.5% of his free throws.
Why Florida can cover
Senior forward Colin Castleton leads the Gators, and is averaging 16 points, 7.7 rebounds, three blocks and 2.7 assists per game. He is hitting on 50% of his field goals and 72.9% of his free throws. Castleton had a monster game against Kentucky in the first meeting, scoring 25 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out five assists and blocking three shots. He has reached double-figure scoring in 12 of the past 13 games, including four double-doubles in that span.
Sophomore guard Will Richard averages 10.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He is also a threat from the field, connecting on 48% of his shots, including 40% from 3-point range and 87.3% from the free-throw line. In the last matchup against the Wildcats, he scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. He has reached double-figure scoring 16 times on the year.
How to make Florida vs. Kentucky picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 143 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
