The Kentucky Wildcats take on the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, SC. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Kentucky is favored by 1 point on the spread with a moneyline of -120. The total is set at 156 points.
Here’s my Kentucky vs. Clemson predictions and college basketball picks for December 3, 2024.
Kentucky vs Clemson Prediction
My Pick: Clemson +1.5
My Kentucky vs Clemson best bet is on the Tigers to cover the spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Kentucky vs Clemson Odds, Spread
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 156 -110o / -110u | -120 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 156 -110o / -110u | +100 |
- Kentucky vs Clemson spread: Kentucky -1.5
- Kentucky vs Clemson over/under: 156 points
- Kentucky vs Clemson moneyline: Kentucky -120, Clemson +100
- Kentucky vs Clemson best bet: Clemson +1.5
Kentucky vs Clemson NCAAB Betting Preview
Arguably, the game of the night in the SEC/ACC Challenge takes place in Clemson on Tuesday.
These teams are a combined 14-1 on the season, with the only loss being Clemson's defeat at the hands of Boise State.
The Mark Pope era has gotten off to a great start in Lexington, with the exclamation mark being the Wildcats' 77-72 victory over Duke earlier in November.
The Cats haven't exactly been tested by the most difficult schedule since that game, and this will be the UK's first true road game.
It's not an easy first road trip of the season, heading to face a Clemson team that returned several key pieces from a group that made it all the way to an Elite Eight a year ago.
Additionally, with the Tigers fresh off of a championship in Daytona Beach as part of Feast Week, there should be a rowdy crowd with plenty of energy in Littlejohn Coliseum.
It's only a seven-game sample size, but Kentucky ranks inside the top 30 in both offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom, which is very promising.
Mark Pope did a fantastic job of filling out his roster via the transfer portal when he took over, and thus far, the new pieces are gelling together very nicely.
Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and all Lamont Butler did at San Diego State was make winning plays.
Then there are bigs like Amari Williams, Brandon Garrison, and Andrew Carr, who each bring a little something different to the table.
Beyond that, there's the sharpshooting of Dayton transfer Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson, who was with Pope at BYU and can score it in a variety of ways.
It's a new team, but it's a veteran team, which will be a huge asset come March.
That said, I have a hunch the Cats could be in for a bit of a reality check when they go into enemy territory on Tuesday night.
Clemson presents plenty of challenges that will be difficult for a team still finding its groove together to deal with.
Speaking of the Tigers, unlike Kentucky, which basically had no returnees, Clemson has a ton of roster continuity from a year ago.
Yes, Brad Brownell lost an absolute stud and captain in PJ Hall, but beyond that, the Tigers return most of its production from last season.
Ian Schieffelin is no longer just a dirty work and glue guy type but is now a force on the inside.
Chase Hunter made big shot after big shot last March and is always under control with the ball in his hands.
His younger brother Dillon continues to improve, and Clemson added a veteran guard who brings toughness in BC transfer Jaeden Zackery.
The Tigers are elite defensively and will be, far and away, the most physical team that Kentucky has seen all year.
I think that toughness and connection will be the difference in this one.
I expect it to be a nip-and-tuck battle between two teams I view as top 20 outfits, but there's value in the home team as a short underdog.
Give me the Tigers +1.5 in a game I believe they find a way to win in the final minutes in their own building.
