FAU Owls vs. Tennessee Volunteers odds predictions pick betting line spread

The 9th-seeded FAU Owls (33-3) and 4th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (25-10) meet Thursday in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. Tip from Madison Square Garden in Manhattan is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (TBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the FAU vs. Tennessee odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The Owls play in Madison Square Garden for the 1st time in school history and it its 1st Sweet 16. In fact, prior to this season, Florida Atlantic was 0-1 straight-up (SU) and 1-0 against the spread (ATS) in its only tournament appearance, falling to Alabama in 2002.

FAU’s Johnell Davis scored 29 points with 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals to become the 1st player in men’s NCAA Tournament history to go for 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ steals in a single game.

The Owls have rattled off 9 straight wins, and its 33 victories ties Houston for the most in college basketball this season. It is also 6-3 ATS during the 9-game run since Feb. 16, a loss at Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee returns to the Sweet 16 for the 1st time since 2019 when it lost to Purdue in overtime. The Vols are 1-7 SU all-time in the Sweet 16 round.

The Vols won 65-52 and covered against Duke as 3-point underdogs. The Under has cashed in both tournament games for Tennessee. The Vols limited Duke to 43% (21 of 49) from the field, and 27% (6 of 22) from downtown.

Tennessee’s defense ranked 3rd in the nation during the regular season allowing just 57.8 points per game, while ranking 1st overall in defensive FG percentage (36.4%) and defensive 3-point percentage (25.5%).

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3259″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3272″ ]

[betwidget_tipico]

FAU vs. Tennessee odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:28 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): FAU +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Tennessee -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): FAU +5.5 (-112) | Tennessee -5.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 129.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

FAU vs. Tennessee picks and predictions

Prediction

Tennessee 67, FAU 59

Moneyline

Tennessee (-230) will cost you nearly 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s just too expensive as a long-term betting strategy. Even including the Vols in a multi-team parlay sucks all of the value out of your ticket.

PASS, and look to the spread instead.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Against the spread

TENNESSEE -5.5 (-108) is the much better play. In fact, it’s surprising that this line has remained so low.

FAU +5.5 (-112) is unproven, and while it has been a great story making the Sweet 16, the trip ends in MSG on Thursday. And there is no shame in that, as Tennessee is a good team. The experience of coach Rick Barnes, and the defensive tenacity of the Vols, wins out over the youth and exuberance of the Owls.

Over/Under

The UNDER 129.5 (-110) is the play.

At times, FAU had difficulty solving the press of Fairleigh Dickinson in the 2nd round. The Knights were the smallest team in the country, and pale in comparison to the type of pressure the Vols bring.

This team has made multiple teams look bad with a tenacious brand of defense. They’ll keep the Owls down, especially since FAU likes to shoot the triple, and the Tennessee perimeter defense is top notch.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 upset picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:08 a.m. ET. All game times ET.

FAU (+200) vs. Tennessee – Friday, 9 p.m.

Florida Atlanta ranks No. 22 in Kenpom because of its elite offense which sits 30th in adjusted rating. Its defense is also top 35. Tennessee doesn’t have a top-tier offense, but does have the No. 1-rated defense. The Owls have won 9 straight games and have scored 75 or more in 3 of their last 5.

Florida Atlanta has the offense to make noise. It ranks 50th in the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage (36.7%). It should be able to space the court and knock down shots.

With the Vols still without G Zakai Zeigler, they should start to regress defensively. At this value, back FAU (+200).

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

[pickup_prop id=”32591″]

ARKANSAS (+150) vs. UConn – Thursday, 7:15 p.m.

It seems like everyone is already counting Arkansas out. The Razorbacks have a gritty team though, having taken down No. 9 Illinois 73-63 and No. 1 Kansas 72-71. They also have wins over Kentucky and San Diego State this season. The guard play with G Ricky Council IV stepping up, especially against Kansas with 21 points, will matter against G Ryan Nembhard.

UConn is an impressive side, but the Razorbacks play at a pace, ranking 50th in adjusted tempo, that could throw the Huskies off as well. Arkansas has the 51st-best offense and 15th-best defense. It is good enough on both sides of the court to upset the No. 4 seed.

XAVIER (+160) vs. Texas – Friday, 9:45 p.m.

The Musketeers have what it takes to pull off the upset. Xavier’s 6-foot-11 C Jack Nunge is shooting over 40% from deep for the 1st time in his career this season and can space the floor, forcing C Timmy Allen outside of the paint. Xavier has the 7th-best offense while Texas ranks 15th in offense.

Xavier ranks 5th in 3-point FG percentage (38.9%). It has the ability to run and gun. Scoring against Texas isn’t easy, but the Musketeers offense is a proven side. With wins over UConn, Creighton, Marquette, Providence and many other top-tier programs, it should be able to pull off the upset. Back XAVIER (+160).