Vegas Play of the Day: Kentucky at LSU

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 | 10:18 a.m.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

LSU plus-4.5 vs. Kentucky: $660 to win $600: The home court advantage in college basketball is greater than any other sport. When games are played on ESPN, the advantage for the home team is even more significant. And when the home team has one of the nation’s best players, it’s time to make a wager.

Freshman Ben Simmons averages 20.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and is shooting 57.4 percent for LSU. The Tigers rank 20th nationally in scoring at 84.2 points per game. They also average a robust 17.1 assists per game, meaning they have good guard play — a must in college basketball.

Perennial power Kentucky, the most important opponent on everyone’s schedule, is more than familiar with getting an up-and-coming program’s best shot on the road. But when that program has a player such as Simmons, who should be the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, it makes winning significantly more difficult. And LSU backers get four points to work with.

Look for LSU players to ride the momentum created by their home fans, who will join them on the court celebrating a victory.

Current Standings (as of July 1):Brewer (29-24, $10,470), Bern (20-28, $6,435), Keefer (22-38-2, $3,861)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (100-101-1), Brewer (98-112-2), Keefer (105-121-4)

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21