March Madness: Texas vs. Tennessee odds, picks and predictions

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The 7th-seeded Texas Longhorns (21-12) take on the 2nd-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (25-8) Saturday in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Spectrum Center in Charlotte is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas vs. Tennessee odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Both schools made easy work of their 1st-round opponents in the Midwest Region Thursday, as Texas got past Colorado State 56-44, while Tennessee blasted Saint Peter’s 83-49. The Volunteers outlasted the Longhorns 82-71 in their last meeting Jan. 28, 2023, cashing as 5.5-point home favorites. G Zakai Zeigler, who led the SEC this season with 6 assists per game this season, had a double-double in the win last year with 22 points (3-of-6 from 3) and 10 assists.

Zeigler had 11 points and once again dished out 10 assists in the win over the Peacocks Thursday, becoming the 1st Volunteer to record a points-assists double-double in the NCAA Tournament. G Dalton Knecht, the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year, led Tennessee with 23 points.

Despite going 1 of 14 from 3-point range as a team, Texas was still able to outlast Colorado State in the 1st round in big part due to a 17-0 points off turnovers advantage. F Brock Cunningham, the winningest player in Texas basketball history, led the way with 3 steals off the bench.

Texas vs. Tennessee odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Texas +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Tennessee -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Texas +6.5 (-110) | Tennessee -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Texas vs. Tennessee picks and predictions

Prediction

Tennessee 75, Texas 71

Moneyline

INCLUDE TENNESSEE ML (-275) IN A PARLAY.

The Vols (-275) shook off the SEC Tournament double-digit loss to Mississippi State by thoroughly dominating Saint Peter’s.

F Jonas Aidoo had 3 blocks in the win over Saint Peter’s, which put him in the top 3 in Tennessee’s single-season block list with 64 so far. Expect the junior to play angry once again and help his team advance to the Sweet 16.

However, I don’t recommend playing Tennessee straight up at this price. Include the Volunteers in a parlay or pass.

Against the spread

BET TEXAS +6.5 (-110).

This is a bit of a hedge as we root for a close game with the hope of Tennessee eeking it out.

This is too many points to give a Texas team, however, that should make more than a single 3-pointer like it did vs. the Rams. Texas coach Rodney Terry still expressed confidence in the scoring ability of F Dylan Disu despite the senior going 0 of 6 from 3 in his last game. Expect Disu to bounce back and play with physicality, as Tennessee coach Rick Barnes predicted, which should help keep the game close.

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Over/Under

PASS.

Hard to predict exactly how Texas will respond offensively after the tough 3-point shooting performance vs. Colorado State. Plus, Tennessee features some tough defenders like G Jahmai Mashack as Terry pointed out. How will Longhorns G Max Abmas respond after going 1 of 6 from 3 on Thursday?

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