Kentucky vs. Duquesne: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

Two incredibly high-powered offenses meet in Lexington tonight as No. 4 Kentucky hosts Duquesne in a bout between two 1-0 teams. The Dukes are riding a 91-63 win into Rupp Arena, with star player Dae Dae Grant coming off a 25-point performance in which he made all six of his three-point tries. ‘Cats should take care of business but Grant can absolutely fill it up from deep. Here’s all the relevant info ahead of UK’s second game of the season.

How to watch

Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Channel: SEC Network

Vegas odds

Kentucky is a 17.5-point favorite over Duquesne, per Vegas Insider. Not a very large spread at all for a buy game in Rupp Arena. Sharps think the Dukes are going to hang around provide at least some friction against the ‘Cats.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted Winner: Kentucky

Predicted point differential: 21.2

Win probability: 95.7%

Matchup quality: 64.3

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has Duquesne vs Kentucky ranked as the 21st highest-ranked game on Thursday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Kentucky 82, Duquesne 61

Win probability: 97%

More on Duquesne vs. Kentucky

As mentioned, Dae Dae Grant is the stud for the Dukes. The senior sniper spent three seasons at Miami (Ohio) before heading to Duquesne to help revive the program along with a host of other transfers. Following a 6-24 season and 1-16 mark in A-10 play, the Dukes definitely couldn’t bring back the same core, and they sure didn’t.

So this isn’t last year’s abysmal team. At least through one game, it’s a strong mid-major unit that can go nuclear from the three-point line. Still, Kentucky should win and win big, even without Oscar Tshiebwe. ‘Cats will have the size and athleticism advantage at every position on the court and go 11 deep with guys that would all be star players for Duquense.

KenPom told you and ESPN told you. Kentucky to win by roughly 20 to get to 2-0 before facing Michigan State and Gonzaga next week.