Oakland vs. Kentucky March Madness Preview and Prediction

In the No. 14 vs. No. 3 matchup in the NCAA Tournament South Region, the Oakland Grizzlies face the Kentucky Wildcats in first-round action.

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How to Watch Oakland vs. Kentucky

When: 7:10 pm ET on Thursday, March 21st

Where: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Watch: CBS

Odds for Oakland vs. Kentucky

(odds current at time of publish)

Spread: Kentucky -13.5

Total: 162.5

DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Oakland vs. Kentucky Matchup

South Region No. 14 Oakland Grizzlies

After heading into the Horizon League tournament as the top-seeded team, Oakland won it all and punched a ticket to the dance. This Golden Grizzlies team has the potential to be tough in a win-or-go-home setting, as Trey Townsend is a difficult player to deal with. The jack-of-all-trades forward can score the basketball in a number of different ways, and he’s a good rebounder and passer. If some of Oakland’s guards can knock down some triples, the Golden Grizzlies might make an opponent uncomfortable. Oakland played Ohio State, Illinois and Drake pretty close earlier in the year, and the team also scored a win over Xavier. 

South Region No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats

John Calipari used to be known for churning out elite defensive teams. However, he has shifted his approach over the years, and this year’s group is an offensive juggernaut. The Wildcats play at an extremely fast pace, and they’re also the best 3-point shooting team in college basketball. That’s an absolutely lethal combination, especially considering they don’t turn the ball over much. Kentucky also has legitimate stars in Rob Dillingham, Antonio Reeves and Reed Sheppard — along with a few others. Calipari just needs to find a way to get his guys to buy in defensively for a few games. Kentucky was a disaster on that end of the floor during the regular season. If the team can’t lock in and fix that, it doesn’t matter how good the offense is.

Oakland vs. Kentucky Preview & Prediction

John Calipari has a few days to figure out what is wrong with the Wildcats defense before taking on Oakland. Kentucky allowed 1.186, 1.218, 1.184, 1.024, 1.098, and 1.279 points per possession to round out the regular season and also bow out early against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to get knocked out early, as you can conserve some energy and fix what’s wrong with the team in practice as opposed to trying to adjust during a game.

The Wildcats had better figure it out because Oakland can score. Defense is really hit or miss in the Horizon League, so you have to consider that with the Golden Grizzlies and their offensive numbers. But, this is a team that has only lost three times in 2024 and won’t be intimidated after playing the eighth-ranked non-conference schedule per Bart Torvik and 15th per KenPom. 

Oakland didn’t fare well in most of those games, losing to Ohio State, Illinois, Drake, Michigan State, and Dayton,  but they did beat Xavier on the road in Cincinnati. Kampe has coached Oakland since 1984 and this is his first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011. That 2011 team took a Texas team with Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson to the wire in a four-point loss.

I’m not sure Oakland will do the same here against Kentucky, given that this isn’t a Rick Barnes-coached team, but I could see them keeping this close for a while. Kentucky’s athleticism and strong offensive efficiency numbers should ultimately create some distance and they’re going to be a popular pick for a deep run given their pretty favorable draw at the bottom of the bracket.

Estimated Score: Kentucky 88, Oakland 76

For expert predictions, go to our college basketball best bets page.

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