Point Spread: Kentucky is an Underdog against Gonzaga

It’s been a rough go of it for the Kentucky Wildcats against Power Conference foes. It’s a good thing Gonzaga isn’t in a Power Conference, right?

The 11th-ranked Bulldogs will take on the 18th-ranked Wildcats in Nashville on Friday night, the fourth contest of a six-year series. Kentucky came from behind to win in overtime, 90-89, last year in Seattle. Does Mark Pope have some more magic up his sleeve? He’s gonna need it.

According to our friends at BetMGM, Kentucky is a 3.5-point underdog against the Zags. The total is 155.5, giving us a projected final score of 79.5-76.

The computers have not quite adjusted to the Wildcats’ struggles. Down three players, Kentucky has lost all three of its games against opponents with a pulse, most recently plodding through a 10+ minute second half scoring drought in a 67-64 loss at North Carolina at Rupp Arena. KenPom is calling for a 78-77 Gonzaga win, while BartTorvik projects a 79-77 Kentucky loss.

Gonzaga is 6-2 Against the Spread (ATS) this season, with overs hitting in three of the last four games. Kentucky is 4-4 ATS and has failed to cover in each of its three losses.

Kentucky is expected to be without Mo Dioubate and Bridgestone Arena, but Pope left the door open for Jaland Lowe to potentially return on Friday night.

Kentucky vs. Gonzaga: How to Watch, Listen

• Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN2 (Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes)
• Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
• AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
• FM: 98.1 WBUL
• Online: iHeart Radio
• Sirius XM: 211 or 190

You can also follow along on the KSR LIVE BLOG, which will start a few hours before tipoff, and join the conversation on KSBoard.

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