The Kentucky Wildcats (10-6, 1-3 SEC) battle the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers (14-2, 4-0) Saturday. Tip is set for noon ET from Thompson-Boling Arena (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kentucky vs. Tennessee odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Wildcats lost at home to South Carolina 71-68 Tuesday. It closed as a 20-point favorite. Kentucky is just 4-11-1 against the spread (ATS) this season and is 0-9-1 ATS over its last 10 games. The Cats have lost 2 straight as well. They rank 87th in the nation in points per game (76.3).
The Vols, on the other hand, beat Vanderbilt at home 77-68, closing as 16.5-point favorites Tuesday. The Vols beat South Carolina 85-42 the game prior. Tennessee is 6-4 ATS over its last 10 games and 9-7 ATS on the season. It ranks No. 1 in the country in both opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (20.9%) and field goal percentage (33.5%).
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Kentucky at Tennessee odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kentucky +475 (bet $100 to win $475) | Tennessee -750 (bet $750 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kentucky +11.5 (-105) | Tennessee -11.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Kentucky at Tennessee picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 71, Kentucky 64
Moneyline
PASS.
Kentucky has the talent to stay close, but it hasn’t shown enough as of late to play it as (+475). Similarly, Tennessee at (-750) is unplayable.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY +11.5 (-105).
The Cats have been awful ATS lately, and the market is reacting here. They have a talented roster with the reigning National Player of the Year.
The Vols’ strength is defensive efficiency, and with C Oscar Tshiebwe, who shoots 58.4% from the field, Kentucky should get some easy baskets. The Cats have also been working G CJ Fredrick back, and his continued involvement should aid Kentucky.
Tennessee failed to cover against Vandy at home and is 2-2 ATS at home in its last 4 as well, so it hasn’t necessarily dominated teams on its home court. At this amount, back KENTUCKY +11.5 (-105) to just keep things relatively close.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 131.5 (-110).
The Cats are 5-1 O.U in their last 6 and have allowed at least 70 points in 3 straight games. With Tshiebwe getting easy buckets, it also can score with relative ease, notching at least 68 in 5 of its last 6.
Tennessee has gone Over in 3 straight and in 4 of its last 5. It has scored 85 or more in 2 of its last 3. Combine both recent trends and back the OVER 131.5 (-110).
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