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USATSI

The No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Howard Bison on Monday at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are expected to be without Oscar Tshiebwe (knee) against the Bison. Tshiebwe averaged 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds per game last season and John Calipari said he "would be stunned if he played Monday."

The game from Rupp Arena is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Wildcats are 26-point favorites in the latest Kentucky vs. Howard odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 148.5. Before locking in any Howard 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. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of over $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Kentucky vs. Howard, and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Howard vs. Kentucky:

  • Kentucky vs. Howard spread: Kentucky -26
  • Kentucky vs. Howard over/under: 148.5 points
  • Kentucky vs. Howard picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Kentucky can cover 

Even with Tshiebwe expected to miss Monday's matchup, the Wildcats feature several players capable of taking over a game. Antonio Reeves, a senior transfer from Illinois State, put on a show in Kentucky's 111-53 exhibition victory over Kentucky State. Reeves finished 5-for-10 from behind the arc, helping the Wildcats knock down 12 of 26 3-point attempts.

Reeves averaged 20.1 points at Illinois State in 2021-22, and he'll use his experience to lead a Kentucky team that has high expectations this season. 

Why Howard can cover

The Bison featured an effective offense last season, averaging 76.4 points per game, the 46th-best mark in college basketball. That bodes well against a Kentucky team that gave up 66.6 points per game a season ago, which ranked 100th in the nation. 

Steve Settle III is one of Howard's top returning players from last season. Settle III averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 2021-22. He scored double-digit points in four of his last five outings a season ago, and he'll look to carry that momentum into Monday's matchup against the Wildcats. 

How to make Howard vs. Kentucky picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 150 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine

So who wins Kentucky vs. Howard? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the computer model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.