Kentucky vs. Texas odds, prediction, time: 2026 college basketball picks for Jan. 21 from proven model

One of the newest SEC rivalries will be renewed on Wednesday's college basketball schedule as the Kentucky Wildcats host the Texas Longhorns. The Wildcats (12-6, 3-2 SEC) have won three straight games, including an 80-78 Saturday win over Tennessee, after dropping their first two conference matchups. UT (11-7, 2-3 SEC) is coming off a 74-70 defeat on Saturday to Texas A&M after winning back-to-back outings.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. The programs have split two all-time meetings. The Wildcats are 6.5-point favorites in the latest Texas vs. Kentucky odds, while the over/under is 153.5. Before making any Kentucky vs. Texas picks, check out the men's college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times and it enters Week 12 on a sizzling 10-1 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns. 

Now, the model has simulated Texas vs. Kentucky 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted men's college basketball picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several men's college basketball odds and men's college basketball betting lines for Kentucky vs. Texas:

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How to make Kentucky vs. Texas picks

SportsLine's model has simulated Texas vs. Kentucky 10,000 times and is going Over on the total (153.5 points). The Over is 4-2 over the Longhorns last six games, while the Over has hit in two of the last three Kentucky home contests. When these teams last played in Feb. 2025, it was a high-scoring affair with 160 combined points.

Kentucky's leading scorer in Otega Oweh is forecasted to score more than 3 points over his season average, while Texas displays its scoring depth. Four Longhorns are projected to score at least 14 points, and both teams are averaging over 80 points per game this season. The model projects over 160 total points to be scored as the Over hits in almost 70% of simulations.

The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Kentucky vs. Texas, and which side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Texas vs. Kentucky spread to back, all from the advanced model that has simulated this game 10,000 times, and find out.