Kentucky vs. Florida basketball 2024: Early look at expert predictions, best bets, and college basketball odds for Wednesday’s game – syracuse.com
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Kentucky forward Tre Mitchell runs a play during an NCAA college basketball game.AP
Florida will lock horns with Kentucky in a college basketball matchup at Rupp Arena on Wednesday, scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST.
This prediction and best bet for Wednesday’s college basketball matchup between Florida and Kentucky is from Dimers.com, a dependable source for sports betting predictions.
Utilize the interactive widget below to see the latest spread, over/under, and moneyline odds and probabilities for the Florida-Kentucky game at Rupp Arena.
Florida vs. Kentucky betting preview
Check out all the important details on tonight’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country.
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Game details
The key information you need before the Florida vs. Kentucky college basketball game.
Teams: Florida vs. Kentucky
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Location: Rupp Arena
Odds
The latest and best odds for the college basketball clash between Florida and Kentucky.
Spread: Florida +6.5 (-110), Kentucky -6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Florida +220, Kentucky -275
Total: Over/Under 171.5 (-110/-110)
The odds and lines featured in this article are the best available from selected College basketball betting sites at the time of publication and are subject to change. These Kentucky sports betting promos provide even more great value for today’s game.
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Expert prediction: Florida vs. Kentucky
Leveraging state-of-the-art data analysis and machine learning, Dimers has performed 10,000 simulations of Wednesday’s Florida vs. Kentucky game.
According to Dimers’ independent predictive analytics model, Kentucky is more likely to defeat Florida at Rupp Arena. This prediction is based on the model giving Kentucky a 68% chance of winning the game.
Furthermore, Dimers predicts that Kentucky (-6.5) has a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 171.5 points has a 51% chance of staying under.
These predictions and probabilities are correct at the time of publication but are subject to potential changes.
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Florida vs. Kentucky: best bet
Our top pick for the Florida vs. Kentucky game on Wednesday is to bet on Florida moneyline (+220).
Our betting tips are formulated through detailed modeling and valuable betting intelligence, designed to assist you in making smarter investments.
While Kentucky is more likely to win the game, according to Dimers, taking the Florida moneyline is the best option due to the edge found when comparing Dimers’ data-driven probabilities to the sportsbooks’ odds.
Score prediction for Florida vs. Kentucky
Dimers’ predicted final score for the Florida vs. Kentucky game on Wednesday has Kentucky winning 88-82.
This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome.
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College basketball today: Florida vs. Kentucky
Get ready for Wednesday’s college basketball matchup between Florida and Kentucky at Rupp Arena, which is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST. To add an extra level of excitement, you might want to consider exploring parlay picks.
We emphasize that all of the college basketball predictions and college basketball best bets in this article are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Florida vs. Kentucky matchup, and they are correct at the time of publishing. They aim to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks.
It is important to gamble responsibly and seek reputable sources for accurate and up-to-date information when making online betting decisions.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Leaver | Dimers.com
Ryan Leaver is a highly experienced sports betting digital content producer for Cipher Sports Technology Group. He boasts an impressive writing portfolio, contributing to prominent platforms like Dimers, Fox Sports, Stats Insider, and Triple M.
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On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
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Jan 24, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope claps after a possession during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
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Jan 31, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope shakes hands with Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari prior to the game at Bud Walton Arena. Kentucky won 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
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Feb 15, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope argues with an official during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Which game could be a trap?
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We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Kentucky state law permits fireworks use unless prohibited by local ordinances.
In Louisville and Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are illegal, but smaller items like sparklers are allowed.
Certain fireworks are banned in Louisville if their labels include words like “explosive,” “rocket,” or “firecracker.”
Safety officials advise keeping water nearby, not relighting “dud” fireworks, and never allowing children to ignite them.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
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Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
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Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
Use fireworks outdoors.
Obey local laws.
Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
Listing the teams that can least afford to mess up this year’s NBA draft.
LEXINGTON — Otega Oweh will begin his NBA career on the move.
The Miami Heat drafted Oweh in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 24. Oweh was the No. 41 overall pick (and the 11th selection of the second round).
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But he won’t remain in Miami: Oweh reportedly is part of a trade that will send him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oweh starred for Kentucky basketball the past two seasons. He was a primary component of the first and second squads of coach Mark Pope’s tenure at UK.
Here’s what to know about Oweh, the Wildcats’ newest draft selection:
Oweh began his time as a collegian at Oklahoma, where he spent two seasons. He played in 32 games (28 starts) for the Sooners in 2023-24, averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1 assist per outing.
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But he was a revelation at Kentucky, inarguably the team’s top player the past two seasons.
During his debut in 2024-25, Oweh paced the Wildcats in points per game (16.2) and double-digit efforts (33 times in 36 games). He started the season scoring 10 or more in the team’s first 26 games, which was the longest streak by a Kentucky player since Malik Monk did so 30 times in a row in 2016-17.
After going through the draft process and returning to UK, Oweh entered the 2025-26 campaign as the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year.
He wound up being every bit as consistent as in Year 1, scoring 10-plus points in 35 of the Cats’ 36 games. Oweh, who was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the league’s coaches, averaged a team-high 18.6 points per game.
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He finished his Kentucky career with 1,255 points, the most ever by a player in his first two seasons with the program.
Along with his scoring prowess, Oweh also set single-season personal bests for rebounds (4.8), assists (2.7) and steals (1.8) per game.
Despite his standout two-year career with the Cats, Oweh was not a highly touted transfer portal prospect following the 2023-24 season. He was 31st according to 247Sports, while ESPN ranked him 59th and On3 didn’t even include him in its top 100.
Hailing from Blair Academy in New Jersey, Oweh was unanimously rated as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class, earning that ranking from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN.
Oweh was slightly taller than 6-foot-4 (without shoes) at the NBA Draft Combine. During that testing, he weighed 216 pounds. That’s nearly identical to Oweh’s figures on Kentucky’s official 2025-26 roster, where he was listed at 6-4 and 220 pounds.
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NBAdraft.net wrote that Oweh’s most logical pro comps are the Harrison twins — ex-UK greats Aaron and Andrew — and Josh Okogie.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.