The Kentucky Wildcats, who open the season ranked No. 16 in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll, tip off their regular season on Monday against the New Mexico State Aggies. The Wildcats, who finished 22-12 during the 2022-2023 season, are slated to play 13 games against 10 NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago and 10 teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. The Aggies, who slumped to 9-15 a year ago, will compete in Conference USA this year after spending the past 18 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference. This will be the second all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Aggies, with Kentucky owning a 1-0 series edge.
The game from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., will tip off at 8 p.m. ET. Kentucky averaged 74.5 points per game in 2022-2023, while New Mexico State averaged 73.7. The Wildcats are 15.5-point favorites in the latest Kentucky vs. New Mexico State odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 141.5. Before making any New Mexico State vs. Kentucky picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It went 85-55 on all top-rated college basketball picks last season, returning more than $1,600 for $100 players. Anyone who followed it saw huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Kentucky vs. New Mexico State and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends fo New Mexico State vs. Kentucky:
- Kentucky vs. New Mexico State spread: Kentucky -15.5
- Kentucky vs. New Mexico State over/under: 141.5 points
- Kentucky vs. New Mexico State money line: Kentucky -1663, NMSU +890
- KY: 16-18 ATS last season
- NMSU: 9-15 straight up last season
- Kentucky vs. New Mexico State picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Kentucky can cover
A key ingredient to the Wildcats’ success this season will be freshman guard D.J. Wagner. The consensus five-star prospect is on the Bob Cousy Award preseason watch list. He was the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game MVP and was a three-time Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year. He averaged eight points and four assists in exhibitions.
Another freshman expected to be a big part of Kentucky’s success is forward Justin Edwards. Edwards is a consensus five-star prospect and is on the Julius Erving Award preseason watch list. He was a 2023 McDonald’s All-American and the MaxPreps Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year. He averaged 13 points and 6.5 rebounds in two starts during the exhibition season. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why New Mexico State can cover
The Aggies have completely made over their roster from last season, with no fewer than 13 new faces. Among them will be 7-foot senior forward Davion Bradford, who has played previously at Wake Forest and Kansas State. Last season, he played 26 games at Wake Forest, which included five starts. His freshman season at Kansas State, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Another senior transfer expected to make an impact is guard Brandon Suggs. Last season, he appeared in 32 of 34 games at Central Florida, earning eight starts, while averaging 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds. He also spent three seasons at East Carolina, averaging 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 24 games, including 16 starts, in 2021-22. In 105 collegiate games, he has 57 starts, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make New Mexico State vs. Kentucky picks
The model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 146 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Kentucky vs. New Mexico State, and which side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that went 85-55 on its top-ranked college basketball picks last season, and find out.
