Valparaiso Beacons vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 11/7/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Valparaiso Beacons vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

TV: SECN+

The Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) will try to beat the Valparaiso Beacons (1-0) at Rupp Arena on Friday.

The Valparaiso Beacons faced off with Eastern Illinois and notched a win by a score of 66-63 in their last game. Valparaiso wrapped up the game having earned a 34.5% FG percentage (19 of 55) and converted 7 out of their 31 3-point shots. From the charity stripe, the Beacons knocked down 21 of their 35 shots for a percentage of 60.0%. When it comes to rebounding, they earned a total of 31 with 12 of them being offensive. They also dished out 8 assists for the matchup in addition to forcing the other team into 19 turnovers and earning 13 steals. When discussing defending, Valparaiso allowed 39.1% from the field on 18 of 46 shooting. Eastern Illinois earned 4 assists and had 5 steals in this matchup. Moreover, Eastern Illinois had 34 rebounds (7 offensive, 27 defensive), but finished the game with no rejections. Eastern Illinois went 80.6% when shooting free throws by converting 25 of 31 tries. They also made 2 of 9 shots from downtown. When it comes to personal fouls, the Beacons ended up finishing with 22 while Eastern Illinois racked up 30 personal fouls.

Isaiah Barnes is one guy who played a role for this game. He accumulated 15 points on 4 of 10 shooting. He was on the court for 32 mins and also collected 10 rebounds. He finished the game at 40.0% from the field and also earned 1 assist.

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Valparaiso steps onto the hardwood with a mark of 1-0 so far this season. They turn it over 14.0 times per game and as a unit they commit 22.0 fouls every game. As a team, Valparaiso is pulling in 38.0 boards per game and has totaled 8 assists so far this year, which ranks 325th in Division 1 in terms of passing the rock. The Beacons are hitting 22.6% on 3-pointers (7 of 31) and 60.0% from the charity stripe. They average 66.0 points per contest (288th in the nation) while hitting 34.5% from the floor.

When they are on defense, the Beacons have forced 20.0 turnovers per contest and they draw 30.0 fouls. They rank 26th in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 4 conceded on the year. The Beacons defense is giving up a FG percentage of 39.1% (18 of 46) and they concede 41.0 boards per game as a team. They concede 22.2% on shots from downtown while they are 132nd in Division 1 in opponents PPG (63.0).

In their last game, the Kentucky Wildcats got the win with a final of 77-51 against Nicholls State. The Wildcats earned 31 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive boards totaling 41 in this game. They also turned it over 13 times, while recording 7 steals in this matchup. Nicholls State had 18 personal fouls for the matchup which took the Wildcats to the free throw line for a total of 22 tries. They were able to make 12 of those for a percentage of 54.5%. In reference to 3-pointers, Kentucky knocked down 7 out of 27 attempts (25.9%). At the conclusion of this game, the Wildcats shot 29 out of 62 from the field which gave them a rate of 46.8%. The Wildcats allowed Nicholls State to knock down 16 of 53 attempts from the field which had them sitting at 30.2% for the contest. They finished 16.7% from three-point range by connecting on 4 out of 24 and finished the game at 15 out of 22 at the charity stripe (68.2%). When discussing cleaning up the glass, Kentucky allowed Nicholls State to grab 27 in all (4 offensive).

Collin Chandler was important for the Wildcats in this contest. He knocked down 5 out of 8 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 62.5%, and tallied 2 rebounds. He had 15 points in his 24 mins on the hardwood and had 4 assists for the game.

Kentucky has a win-loss mark of 1-0 for the year. As an offensive unit, the Wildcats are hitting on 46.8% from the floor, which has them ranked 169th in college. Kentucky has scored 77 points for the campaign and they snag 51.0 rebounds per game. They are dishing out assists 21.0 times per contest (64th in college) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 13.0 times per contest. The Wildcats have committed 17.0 fouls every game and they go 54.5% from the charity stripe.

The Wildcats on the defensive side of the court are 59th in Division 1 in PPG allowed with 51.0. They are forcing 11.0 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 30.2% from the field (48th in college hoops). The Kentucky defense concedes 16.7% on 3-point shots (4 of 24) and opponents are connecting on 68.2% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have given up 9.0 assists and 30.0 total boards per game, which is ranked 109th and 117th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Valparaiso

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