The 5th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (23-9) will take on the 4th-seeded Missouri Tigers (23-8) in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament Friday. Tip from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville is at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Tennessee vs. Missouri odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
This will be a rematch of an 86-85 Missouri win as a 12-point road underdog on Feb. 11.
The Volunteers defeated Ole Miss 70-55 Thursday to punch a ticket to the quarterfinals. Tennessee has failed to keep up its momentum heading into March after starting the season strong. The Vols have struggled because despite being 3rd nationally with 57.5 points allowed per game, they only score 71.9 points per game of their own (175th).
While the Missouri defense is putrid (74.8 points allowed per game, 299th), Tennessee will still have a difficult time finding its way without starting G Zakai Zeigler, who was lost for the season in its penultimate regular-season game.
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Tennessee at Missouri odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tennessee -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Missouri +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee -5.5 (-115) | Missouri +5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Tennessee at Missouri picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 80, Missouri 76
Moneyline
PASS.
The Tigers have been a bit of a roller coaster this season, but that does include a road win over the Vols. However, while this is on a neutral court it happens to be in Tennessee. The fans will show up and Tennessee (-250) will do enough to get by the Tigers.
However, you can’t risk more than 2 1/2 times your potential return on a standalone moneyline wager but I do think this is a fine addition to a parlay.
Against the spread
BET MISSOURI +5.5 (-105).
Missouri is ranked 21st in the country with 80.1 points per game and will be forced to use all the tricks in its bag to score on the elite Tennessee defense.
The Tigers will hit enough 3-pointers to keep this game within the 5.5-point line which is being offered.
Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in 4 of 5 games following a win and is also 2-6 ATS in their last 8 against an opponent with a winning record.
Mizzou has covered the spread in 4 straight neutral site games.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 141.5 (-110)
The last time these teams met they put up 171 total points despite the Vols’ elite defense.
Missouri enters this game fresh as it has not had to play a tournament game while Tennessee played Thursday.
While the game was relatively easy, it still takes a toll, and this could allow Missouri to come out hot and force Tennessee to play catchup. OVER 141.5 (-110) is the way to play this one.
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