The No. 11 seed Michigan Wolverines (18-14) meet the No. 3 seed Tennessee Volunteers (27-7) in the second round of the South Region. Tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Michigan vs. Tennessee odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Wolverines pulled off a 75-63 victory over the No. 6 seed Colorado State Rams and easily covered as 1.5-point favorites despite that many believed Michigan should have been in a First Four matchup.
The Wolverines are led by 7-foot-1 C Hunter Dickinson, who is averaging 18.4 points per game. They are just 14-18 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
Tennessee thrashed the No. 14 seed Longwood Lancers 88-56 and covered as an 18-point favorite in the first round.
The Vols are one of the hottest teams in the nation and have covered four straight games, three of which helped them cruise to the SEC Championship. Tennessee is led by G Kennedy Chandler, who is averaging 13.8 points per game.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Michigan vs. Tennessee odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Michigan +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Tennessee -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan +6.5 (-115) | Tennessee -6.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -115| U: -107)
[tipico]
Michigan vs. Tennessee odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 76, Michigan 66
Money line
PASS.
I’m not envisioning an upset in this game, so I’d prefer to play the points for value. Neither side of the money line gives great odds, with Michigan (+220) as the only playable option.
Against the spread
LEAN to TENNESSEE -6.5 (-107).
This game is to be determined by the Vols’ defensive intensity, and the Wolverines haven’t faced anything like it this season. Tennessee ranks second in defensive efficiency per Kenpom.
It has a plethora of ultra-quick guards, but Michigan’s strong suit is in the paint where it hits 47.1% of its shots, good for the 38th-best in the nation.
It’s doubtful Tennessee lets Dickinson dominate this game and the Wolverines could be in trouble as they’re a poor three-point shooting team as they face a mix of size and speed that Colorado State did not possess.
Michigan has struggled against the spread this season and is just 14-18 ATS. Tennessee is surging and is a solid 21-13 ATS while also being 9-4 ATS in non-conference games.
The Vols should be able to run away with this one and keep their title hopes alive.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 135.5 (-115).
If Michigan falls behind, as it did when the projected over was hit against Colorado State, it’ll have to force the pace.
While Tennessee’s defense is legit, this will be more about a mixture of Michigan’s strong offense and lacking defense. Dickinson’s inability to defend the perimeter is also going to be exposed, leaving Volunteer shooters open.
Michigan has gone Over the total in seven of its last nine outings. Tennessee is 4-4 O/U over its last 8 and 2-2 O/U since the end of the regular season. Given that both sides have a top-35 offense in the Kenpom rankings, I’ll take more points to be scored in this one.
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