Kentucky vs. South Carolina odds, prediction: 2026 college basketball picks for Feb. 24 from proven model
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Kohn
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Kentucky faces South Carolina in an SEC clash on February 24, with the Wildcats looking to end a three-game losing streak. Kentucky (17-10, 8-6 SEC) is tied for sixth in the conference but struggles on the road, going 3-5 this season. Meanwhile, South Carolina (12-15, 3-11 SEC) is ranked 13th and has a strong home record of 11-6 at Colonial Life Arena. The Wildcats are favored by 6.5 points in the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, with an over/under total of 149.5 points.
SportsLine's Projection Model simulated this matchup 10,000 times and predicts the game will go Over on the total points scored. The model projects a high-scoring contest, with Kentucky's Otega Oweh leading the way with 21.1 points and South Carolina's Meechie Johnson Jr. contributing 18.4 points. The Over has been successful in seven of the past 10 meetings between these teams and five of the last nine games for South Carolina. This makes it a strong bet for those looking to capitalize on high-scoring contests.
The model also highlights Kentucky's potential to dominate with three players scoring at least 10.3 points each. Their balanced attack could give them an edge against South Carolina, who struggles defensively and is ranked 12th in the conference. Meanwhile, South Carolina's home advantage and strong defensive performance against Mississippi State might help offset their recent struggles.
This game matters because it offers insights into both teams' strengths and weaknesses heading into the SEC tournament. Kentucky needs a win to solidify its position in the standings, while South Carolina aims to build momentum despite its poor conference record. The betting odds reflect Kentucky's slight edge, but the Over on the total points is a compelling option for bet
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/24/2026