Top College Basketball Betting Picks & Predictions: Kentucky vs. Michigan State (Tuesday)

The college basketball season is not more than a week old, and already three preseason AP top 25 teams (Villanova, Tennessee, and Oregon) have suffered their first losses. Are more upsets in store on a loaded Tuesday college basketball slate? Here are my top picks for Tuesday. And let’s take a closer look at Kentucky vs. Michigan State.

Here are our best bets for Tuesday’s college basketball action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)

Top College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Kentucky vs. Michigan State

Kentucky vs. Michigan State First Half Spread

Michigan State always likes to formulate a brutally difficult out-of-conference schedule, and this year is no exception with consecutive games against Gonzaga and now Kentucky. The Wildcats are 2-1 head-to-head against Michigan State in the Champions Classic and has won the last two meetings by a combined 28 points. Kentucky may get a considerable boost with the potential return of reigning Player of the Year, Oscar Tshiebwe, who John Calipari hinted would play in three or four-minute spurts if he does suit up. The Wildcats have had other contributors step up in Tshiebwe’s absences, as Ugonna Onyenso and Lance Ware have combined for 11.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. In addition, Kentucky got spark plug point guard Sahvir Wheeler back after a one-game absence, and he immediately contributed a double-double (11 pts, 11 asst) in his debut.

While Michigan State’s near upset of Gonzaga was impressive, our outlook on the Spartans is somewhat tempered, given that the game was played on an aircraft carrier in unusual circumstances. The Indianapolis crowd will be pro-Big Blue Nation and will spur on the favorites from the get go in what should be an impressive first 20 minutes.

Bet: Kentucky -3 First Half Spread (-110 at DraftKings) 

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