South Carolina vs Western Kentucky 12/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and South Carolina Gamecocks meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Colonial Life Arena. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers look for their ninth win. The South Carolina Gamecocks look to get back to a .500 record.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 77.5 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 66.6 points on 40.4 percent shooting. Dayvion McKnight is averaging 15.4 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Emmanuel Akot is averaging 13 points and 3 rebounds. Luke Frampton is the third double-digit scorer and Jairus Hamilton is dishing 1.9 assists. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc and 69.1 percent from the free throw line. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.5 rebounds per game.

The South Carolina Gamecocks are averaging 64 points on 40.6 percent shooting and allowing 70.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Gregory Jackson II is averaging 17 points and 6.6 rebounds, while Hayden Brown is averaging 11.9 points and 1 assist. Chico Carter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Meechie Johnson is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The South Carolina Gamecocks are shooting 32.7 percent from beyond the arc and 62.3 percent from the free throw line. The South Carolina Gamecocks are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.1 rebounds per game.

The Hilltoppers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Gamecocks are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games. The over is 5-2 in Hilltoppers last 7 games following a ATS loss. The under is 6-2 in Gamecocks last 8 overall.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are the better team here, and they’ve held their own on the road, so that shouldn’t be an issue. However, I refuse to believe the South Carolina Gamecocks are this bad and if there’s going to be a spot where they can right the ship, it would be here at home. South Carolina will have the best player on the court. I’ll grab the free bucket with the Gamecocks.