Kentucky Wildcats Defeat Missouri Tigers 78-72
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 12:30 PM ET · Bridgestone Arena
Kentucky Wildcats 78, Missouri Tigers 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Kentucky Wildcats vs Missouri Tigers?
Kentucky Wildcats beat Missouri Tigers 78-72 at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2026.
Who was favored in Kentucky Wildcats vs Missouri Tigers?
Kentucky Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup at the Bridgestone Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats emerged victorious against the Missouri Tigers with a final score of 78-72. This game was significant as it marked the third meeting between these two teams in the current season, with Kentucky now leading the series 2-1 following their earlier victory on January 8, 2026, where they won 73-68. Missouri had previously defeated Kentucky 83-91 in their last encounter on March 8, 2025.
Both teams entered the game with mixed recent form. Missouri held a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, but they were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Oklahoma Sooners in their most recent outings. The Tigers averaged 79.2 points scored while allowing 78.3 points during this stretch. In their last five games, they recorded an average of 79.0 points scored and allowed, with a record of 2-3.
On the other hand, Kentucky's recent performance was slightly better, with a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and a current one-game winning streak after defeating the LSU Tigers 87-82. The Wildcats averaged 81.5 points scored and allowed 80.4 points during their last ten games, and in their last five, they scored an average of 82.4 points while allowing 80.4 points, with a record of 3-2.
When examining home and away performances, Missouri had a home record of 3-2 in their last five games, while Kentucky had a weaker away record of 1-3 in the same span. This disparity in home and away performance could have played a role in the game's outcome.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details about player availability, which could be a crucial factor in understanding each team's performance. However, both teams were competitive throughout the season, and the absence of key players could have influenced the game's dynamics.
The betting market reflected Kentucky as the favorites, with DraftKings setting the odds at UK -2.5, indicating that they were expected to win by at least 2.5 points. The total points for the game were set at 148.5, with both the over and under priced at -110. Missouri's moneyline was at +136.0, while Kentucky's was at -162.0, further emphasizing Kentucky's favored status.
The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere in a neutral venue like the Bridgestone Arena often adds an exciting layer to matchups of this caliber, especially in a postseason context.
As the game progressed, several key scoring plays shaped the outcome. Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh were instrumental for Kentucky, with Aberdeen contributing crucial free throws and jumpers in the second half, helping to extend their lead. The scoring plays included a series of free throws and jump shots that allowed Kentucky to maintain their advantage as they closed out the game. Missouri, while fighting hard, could not overcome the deficit, ultimately falling short despite their efforts.
Overall, this matchup showcased the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses. Kentucky's ability to secure the win despite a challenging season reflects their resilience, while Missouri will look to regroup and address their recent struggles as they move forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UK -2.5 | 148.5 o -110 / u -110 | Kentucky Wildcats -162 · Missouri Tigers +136 |
Leaders
- PointsMark Mitchell Jr.32Missouri Tigers
- AssistsT.O. Barrett7Missouri Tigers
- ReboundsMark Mitchell Jr.7Missouri Tigers
- PointsOtega Oweh21Kentucky Wildcats
- AssistsDenzel Aberdeen7Kentucky Wildcats
- ReboundsMouhamed Dioubate7Kentucky Wildcats
Recent form
Missouri Tigers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L279.2 scored · 78.3 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L84-88vs Arkansas RazorbacksMar 7
- L64-80at Oklahoma SoonersMar 4
- W88-64at Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 28
- W73-69vs Tennessee VolunteersFeb 25
- L86-94at Arkansas RazorbacksFeb 21
- W81-80vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 19
- L68-85vs Texas LonghornsFeb 15
- W86-85at Texas A&M AggiesFeb 12
- W78-59at South Carolina GamecocksFeb 7
- W84-79vs Mississippi State BulldogsJan 31
Kentucky Wildcats
Last 10: 5-5Streak W181.5 scored · 80.4 allowed per game1-3 away
- W87-82vs LSU TigersMar 11
- L77-84vs Florida GatorsMar 7
- L85-96at Texas A&M AggiesMar 4
- W91-77vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 28
- W72-63at South Carolina GamecocksFeb 25
- L74-75at Auburn TigersFeb 22
- L78-86vs Georgia BulldogsFeb 18
- L83-92at Florida GatorsFeb 14
- W74-71vs Tennessee VolunteersFeb 8
- W94-78vs Oklahoma SoonersFeb 5
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Kentucky Wildcats | Missouri Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-55 | 26-55 |
| Field goal % | 49 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 6-21 | 5-13 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 38 |
| Free throws | 18-23 | 15-23 |
| Free throw % | 78 | 65 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 24 |
| Assists | 18 | 10 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 9 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 17 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 38 |
| Fouls | 22 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 16 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 89 | 2 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-37Otega Oweh makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mouhamed Dioubate assists)
- 2nd Half51-37Collin Chandler makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half52-37Collin Chandler makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half53-37Collin Chandler makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half53-39Shawn Phillips Jr. makes 1-foot dunk (Mark Mitchell assists)
- 2nd Half53-41Shawn Phillips Jr. makes 2-foot dunk (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half53-42Shawn Phillips Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-44T.O. Barrett makes layup
- 2nd Half56-44Otega Oweh makes 22-foot three point jumper (Denzel Aberdeen assists)
- 2nd Half56-47Mark Mitchell makes 24-foot three point jumper (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half58-47Mouhamed Dioubate makes 10-foot jumper (Otega Oweh assists)
- 2nd Half58-49Shawn Phillips Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half58-51Trent Pierce makes layup (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half58-52T.O. Barrett makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53T.O. Barrett makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-53Mouhamed Dioubate makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-53Malachi Moreno makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-55Mark Mitchell makes 7-foot jumper (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half60-56Mark Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-57Mark Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-57Collin Chandler makes 25-foot three point jumper (Denzel Aberdeen assists)
- 2nd Half63-58Mark Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-58Otega Oweh makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half65-60Mark Mitchell makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half66-60Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-60Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-63Mark Mitchell makes 25-foot three point jumper (T.O. Barrett assists)
- 2nd Half67-66Trent Pierce makes 23-foot three point jumper (Shawn Phillips Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half69-66Otega Oweh makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half69-68Mark Mitchell makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half69-70Mark Mitchell makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half70-70Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-70Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-70Otega Oweh makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half75-70Denzel Aberdeen makes 7-foot jumper (Malachi Moreno assists)
- 2nd Half76-70Otega Oweh makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-71Jacob Crews makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-72Jacob Crews makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-72Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-72Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Missouri Tigers, below favours Kentucky Wildcats.
Venue
- Bridgestone ArenaNashville, TN
- Attendance15719
- OfficialsByron Jarrett, Pat Adams, Wil Howard
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond