Michigan vs Kentucky Basketball Prediction, Odds & Picks

Two of the top big men in college basketball will match up today in London–yes, London, England–as Hunter Dickinson and Michigan are set to face off with Oscar Tshiebwe and Kentucky at the O2 Arena.

The game is part of the Basketball Hall of Fame London Showcase, which is belatedly taking place two years after it was originally scheduled to occur.

Whether it was in London, Lexington, Ann Arbor, or elsewhere, this matchup will be a treat, even with the Wolverines unranked and the Wildcats sitting at 19th after early losses to Michigan State and Gonzaga.

Who will come back across the Atlantic with a win and a 6-2 record? Read on for our Michigan vs Kentucky prediction, as well as our recommended bets.

Michigan Wolverines vs Kentucky Wildcats Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Michigan Wolverines (5-2) vs #19 Kentucky Wildcats (5-2)
• Venue & Location: O2 Arena (London, England)
• Date: Sunday, December 4, 2022
• Game Time: 1:00 pm ET (6:00 pm London time)
• How to Watch Michigan vs Kentucky: ABC

Michigan vs Kentucky Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 5:25 am ET. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Michigan +8.5 (-110)
• Kentucky -8.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 143.5 (-110)
• Under 143.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Michigan +330
• Kentucky -430

Will Howard’s Hot Start Continue in London?

With Dickinson opting to return to Michigan for a third season, coach Juwan Howard retained his main man. Along with his impact individually, Dickinson’s return was valuable because of how much the Wolverines lost from last season.

With four of last season’s top five scorers no longer with the program, there’s a big void that needed to be filled. And it’s no surprise that there have been a couple of early stumbles, even with Dickinson (19.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.3 BPG) off to an excellent start.

But things would be looking a lot worse for Michigan if freshman Jett Howard–son of Juwan and a highly rated recruit in the 2022 class–hadn’t hit the ground running like he has.

The younger Howard scored 21 points in his collegiate debut against Purdue-Fort Wayne and has immediately established himself as the Wolverines’ second scoring option behind Dickinson.

Howard is averaging 15.1 PPG and is shooting 50.7 percent from the field overall and 43.8 percent from three. He has hit multiple three-pointers in every game so far and has hit at least three in each of his last three games.

Scoring Props for Michigan

Odds are via Bovada Sportsbook.

Hunter Dickinson

• Over 16.5 (-117)
• Under 16.5 (-117)

Jett Howard

• Over 13.5 (-127)
• Under 13.5 (-108)

Returnees Kobe Bufkin and Terrance Williams II need to step up if Michigan is to have a chance in this game, as does Princeton transfer Jordan Llewellyn. Llewellyn is shooting just 20 percent from three after hitting 38.9 percent of his threes last season.

But if the Wolverines are able to push the Wildcats all the way, Howard will likely have played a key role yet again.

Michigan vs Kentucky Prediction and Picks

Michigan vs Kentucky Prediction: Kentucky to win

Michigan vs Kentucky Picks: Michigan to cover (Best Value: Michigan +9.5 @ -115 at BetMGM) & Michigan/Kentucky over (Best Value: over 143 @ -110 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Oscar Tshiebwe has ended up in foul trouble in the two games that Kentucky has lost, fouling out in his season debut against Michigan State and committing four fouls in the 16-point loss to Gonzaga.

So, that does give me some concern when it comes to the Wildcats in this matchup. That said, Kentucky is certainly the more well-rounded and deeper team, and I expect them to take the win in London.

But while Michigan is very much figuring things out, the Wildcats fell short in their two toughest games and are still figuring things out themselves. Issues and all, this is still a sizable spread to cover, especially in a neutral-site game.

I feel that Dickinson and Jett Howard can keep the Wolverines in it, and I also like the over in this matchup. The objective is obviously to win, but I expect the two teams to try to entertain and produce offensively as well.

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