Saint Peter’s vs Kentucky Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/17/22)

15th seed Saint Peter’s (19-11) takes on 2nd seed Kentucky (26-7) in the First Round of the East region. Saint Peter’s defeated Monmouth 60-54 to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and advance to the tournament. They did not play any of the top seeds this year, so they lack experience against potential NBA talent. Against opponents, Saint Peter’s is +4.8 in FG% and +6 in 3PT%. They are ranked 118 in Adjusted Efficiency Margin on KenPom. The last time they went dancing was 2011, where they lost to 3rd seed Purdue in the First Round. 

Kentucky defeated elite teams during the season such as Tennessee, Kansas, LSU, Alabama, and UNC. They lost to Tennessee in the SEC tournament, but they still managed to obtain a 2nd seed ranking. Kentucky is 3rd in KenPom’s Adjusted Efficiency Margin. The Wildcats are perennial contenders who expect to make deep runs. They are a pipeline to the NBA, with notable stars such as John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker. The last time they won the tournament was 2012, which is surprisingly long ago given their talent. 

Saint Peter’s vs Kentucky  Betting Odds

Saint Peter’s Peacocks Betting

The only players above 10 PPG are Daryl Banks III and KC Ndefo. Banks is an off-ball player who thrives off screens and in transition. He struggles to finish around the rim and prefers to hang by the three point line. This tendency is a problem since Kentucky fields elite defensive guards. Ndefo operates in the paint and often posts up opponents. Saint Peter’s will also have trouble there because Oscar Tshiebwe is an excellent interior defender. His 7’4” wingspan will shut down Saint Peter’s and deter field goal attempts. 

Matthew Lee is the primary ball handler for them and leads the team in assists at 2.8 APG. Kentucky has maybe the best pick and roll defense in the nation, so Saint Peter’s will find it tough to get anything going. Doug Edert scored 20 in their win over Monmouth, and he is one of their best chances at putting up points. With a 41.2 3PT%, Edert can come off screens to find the necessary space. Saint Peter’s needs Edert to get hot from three and give the offense a spark. He does not shoot off the dribble, so he is relying on Lee and others to manufacture his shots. 

Kentucky Wildcats Odds

The Wildcats are led by NBA Draft prospects TyTy Washington Jr and Oscar Tshiebwe. Washington Jr is a quick guard who can slip past defenders with his speed and handles. He is solid at finishing through contact around the rim. Tshiebwe is a menace in the paint on both ends of the floor. He protects the rim and stifles opponents trying to post up. Offensively, he is excellent at posting up opponents and crashes the offensive glass. Not many teams will be able to match Tshiebwe inside. 

Kellan Grady is a sharpshooter who can match Edert. He’s shooting 42.4 3PT% on 6.2 attempts per game. Unlike Edert, Grady can manufacture his own offense and shake defenders off the dribble. Washington Jr and Tshiebwe will get the attention, but Grady is the X factor for Kentucky. 

Saint Peter’s Peacocks vs Kentucky Wildcats Picks & Prediction

I like Kentucky to take care of business and dispatch Saint Peter’s with ease. The talent gap is enormous, and Kentucky is well coached. The spread is currently at -17.5 Kentucky, and I like them to cover. 17.5 points is a huge margin, but this Kentucky squad is up to the task. The program had a bad year last season, and I like them to rebound. Look for Tshiebwe to dominate Saint Peter’s and secure a double-double. 

March Madness Bracket