The Colorado Buffaloes (2-0) visit Knoxville, Tenn., to meet the Tennessee Volunteers (0-0) Tuesday evening for a 6 p.m. ET non-conference game at Thompson-Boling Arena. Below, we analyze the Colorado-Tennessee college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Tennessee is ranked No. 16 in the Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Colorado at Tennessee: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Colorado +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Tennessee -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Colorado +5.5 (-110) | Tennessee -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Colorado at Tennessee: Three things to know
- Colorado has been idle since defeating Kansas State, 76-58, on Nov. 27. Riding a combined plus-13 in turnover margin (16 own vs. 29 opponent), the Buffaloes have been impressive in winning their games by 23 and 18 points, respectively. Those first two, the Buffs are looking for three straight road wins for the first time since last November.
- Ranked Tennessee is playing its first game of the season after having three straight cancellations. The Volunteers were forced to pause all team activities on Nov. 23 after several players — and HC Rick Barnes — tested positive for COVID-19. A return to action for the program was green-lighted over the weekend, so the Vols head into this game without much recent practice time as a group.
- The 20-21 Vols return four of their top six scorers from year ago when UT went 17-14. But Tennessee played a slow-pace style and averaged just 67.1 points per game (291st of 353 NCAA-I). An influx of new talent — three five-star recruits (Keon Johnson, Corey Walker, Jaden Springer) — has the Volunteers well-placed in several preseason polls.
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Colorado at Tennessee: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Tennessee 71, Colorado 64
Money line (ML)
Pegging Colorado as a top-75-type team, comps from Tennessee’s slate a year ago aren’t kind. But going back a couple years — when UT won 31 and 26 games, respectively — adds a more favorable outlook for the Volunteers. And with the talent influx in Knoxville, that seems the fairer comparison.
THE LEAN IS ON TENNESSEE, BUT STEER CLEAR OF ANY PRICE NORTH OF +225.
Against the spread (ATS)
Colorado is 1-6 ATS over its last seven games as a road dog (Unders have gone 6-1 over those same seven games). Barnes’ Tennessee teams have been strong out-of-the-gate/early season performers. And with the Buffs coming in after a 10-day layoff, this game is rust-vs.-rust even with it being a thrice-delayed lid-lifter for the Vols.
BACK TENNESSEE -5.5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
UT is 6-1 over its last seven home tilts when favored in the 3.5-7-point range. (The Vols went 5-2 ATS in those seven.) The pace figures as a low one, Tennessee can defend at a near-elite level, and it’s hard to envision shooting percentages surging on either side.
TAKE THE UNDER 137.5 (-110).
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