Saturday morning brings some early college hoops action in the SEC when the Mississippi Rebels visit Rupp Arena to face the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky sits just one game back of first in the conference, and a win here is important ahead of a rough stretch of upcoming games.
They’ll need another strong performance from Denzel Aberdeen, and I explain why he’ll provide one in my Mississippi vs Kentucky predictions and college basketball picks for January 24.
Mississippi vs Kentucky prediction
Mississippi vs Kentucky best bet: Denzel Aberdeen Over 13.5 points (-112)
They say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Well, I say, if it is broke, cash in on it.
And right now, the line for Denzel Aberdeen’s point total continues to be broken.
Aberdeen’s point total of 13.5 is far too low ahead of Kentucky’s clash with Mississippi. Through the first three weeks of SEC play, the Rebels are posting the third-worst adjusted defensive efficiency in the conference, largely because they’re sending shooters to the line at the second-highest rate among SEC teams.
Mississippi is also giving up plenty of open looks from deep, with opponents attempting more than 43% of their shots from beyond the arc. Combine that with the Rebels’ third-lowest defensive rebounding rate, and it’s a bad recipe.
Aberdeen has scored at least 16 points in each of the four games since taking over as the primary point guard, while posting a usage rate of at least 22% in his last two outings. The Kentucky guard has also hit multiple 3-pointers in all four games, knocking down nearly 53% of his attempts from long range.
With injuries to Kam Williams and Jayden Quaintance, the emphasis will remain on Aberdeen to help Otega Oweh carry the Wildcats' offense.
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Mississippi vs Kentucky same-game parlay
Otega Oweh’s 20-point streak ended last weekend against Tennessee, and he fell just short on Wednesday night as he scored 18 against the Longhorns.
Oweh’s tendency to attack the rim should lend to more easy points from the charity stripe, having attempted 19 from the line in his previous two games. That will help push him back over the 20-point threshold.
Kentucky has struggled to hold onto leads at times this season, and the injury issues are a key reason why. Facing a Mississippi team that plays 10 players in its rotation, I am expecting that trend to continue — especially with Kentucky ranking 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 13th in eFG% defense in SEC play.
Mississippi vs Kentucky SGP
- Denzel Aberdeen Over 13.5 points
- Otega Oweh Over 18.5 points
- Mississippi +9.5
Our beyond the arc SGP: Points Aplenty
Mississippi has seen the total go Under in its last two games after a run of four straight Overs, but those results came against a Mississippi State team that struggles to score and an Auburn squad that defends well and forces opponents to use the full shot clock.
Kentucky is neither of those teams. The Wildcats should score with ease while also allowing Mississippi to do the same. Even though the Rebels play at a slow pace, Kentucky’s inability to consistently get stops or control the glass should push both teams into the 70s.
Mississippi vs Kentucky SGP
- Denzel Aberdeen Over 13.5 points
- Otega Oweh Over 18.5 points
- Mississippi +9.5
- Over 144.5
Mississippi vs Kentucky odds
- Spread: Mississippi +9.5 (-105) | Kentucky -9.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Mississippi +390 | Kentucky -525
- Over/Under: Over 144.5 (-110) | Under 144.5 (-110)
Mississippi vs Kentucky betting trend to know
The Rebels have hit the game total Over in 22 of their last 36 games (+6.60 Units / 17% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Mississippi vs. Kentucky.
How to watch Mississippi vs Kentucky
| Location | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY |
| Date | Saturday, January 24, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 11:00 a.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Mississippi vs Kentucky key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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