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The 2nd-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (27-8) battle the top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers (32-4) Sunday in the Elite 8. Tip from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Tennessee vs. Purdue odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Tennessee took down 3rd-seeded Creighton 82-75 Friday to cover as a 3.5-point favorite. G Dalton Knecht scored a game-high 26 points while all 3 Tennessee players who scored in double figures had at least 15. The Volunteers shot 41.8% from the field and 45.8% from beyond the arc in the win.
Purdue knocked off 5th-seeded Gonzaga 80-68 Friday to cover as a 4.5-point favorite. C Zach Edey scored a game-high 27 points with 14 rebounds for a double-double, and G Braden Smith (14 points, 15 assists) also had a double-double. Four Purdue players scored in double figures while the team shot 57.1% from the field and 45% from 3 in the win.
Purdue finished No. 3 and Tennessee was ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Tennessee vs. Purdue odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tennessee +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Purdue -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee +3.5 (-115) | Purdue -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Tennessee vs. Purdue picks and predictions
Prediction
Purdue 83, Tennessee 77
Moneyline
PASS.
The spread presents better value for the top-ranked Boilermakers (-165).
Against the spread
BET PURDUE -3.5 (-105).
Tennessee has failed to cover in 3 of its last 4 games, including 1 of its last 2 tournament games.
Purdue has covered in all 3 of its tournament games and has won by 12 or more points in each game, with an average win margin of 26.3 points. While the Volunteers will put up more of a fight than the Boilermakers’ previous opponents, Edey and company are too much to handle.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 147.5 (-110).
Both teams excel on defense, with Tennessee holding 2 of its March Madness opponents to 58 or fewer points and Purdue holding all 3 of its opponents to 68 or fewer. However, both teams also excel on offense, with Tennessee scoring 82 or more in 2 of its 3 games and Purdue scoring 78 or more in all 3 of its games.
With a line of 147.5, each team holds the capability to go on scoring runs and quickly add points to the total. They both shoot at a high rate from 3 and are able to quickly accumulate points in the paint. Expect a shootout Sunday.
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