Kentucky’s big win over Brown shifts ESPN BPI odds ahead of game against Florida
Kentucky has been favored to beat Florida, according to ESPN BPI analytics, for weeks, and the percentage dropped a bit after losing to Ohio State in New York City. Today, after dominating Brown University in their final non-conference game, ESPN has adjusted the percentage more heavily in favor of Kentucky.
Kentucky is predicted to beat Florida according to ESPN BPI 58.8%.
Kentucky seemed to be a lot more solid defensively throughout the Brown game, but it took them a bit to get their offensive legs under them. As soon as they did, they took off. The second half was an explosion of both getting points and limiting points as they beat Brown 88-54. The score could have been even more lopsided had the young players not gotten tons of run in the back half of the second half.
Now, they will be hosting Florida on Saturday, and some of the being favored comes from it being a game at Rupp Arena, but it’s also indicative of Kentucky being a bit more battle-tested. While Florida is 13-0, they have yet to play a ranked opponent. The only opponent they have played has even been ranked at all this season is North Carolina. The rest of their schedule has truly been a hodgepodge of mostly low-level non-conference foes.
Kentucky, on the other hand, has played one of the hardest strength of schedule non-conferences in the country. They’ve already played four teams inside the top 40 in NET rankings. Florida, on the other hand, has only played UNC with a net rank of 39, which is lower than Ohio State and Clemson (the only two teams to beat Kentucky this season).
This may not mean much, but it does mean that Kentucky is a bit more battle-tested and has an understanding of taking on the best of the best in competition. It will be intriguing to see how each team comes into the game with their non-conference schedule behind them.
