The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (9-1) travel to Tucson to battle the No. 9 Arizona Wildcats (9-1) Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Tennessee vs. Arizona odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
This could be the best game of the young season. Arizona and its offense, which averages 92.5 ppg, will be going against Tennessee, who only allows 51 points per game. According to KenPom rankings, this will be a matchup of the best offense in America against the best defense in America. A true clash of styles.
Arizona can live or die by the 3-point shot in this game. If it is falling for them, the Wildcats can easily blow Tennessee off the floor. If Tennessee can slow this game down, which is what they want to do, they will be able to remain in this game and pull off an upset in the desert. This will be an exciting game of two contrasting styles. Whichever team can set the pace will be the victors.
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Tennessee at Arizona odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tennessee +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Arizona -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee +3.5 (-110) | Arizona -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 150.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Tennessee at Arizona picks and predictions
Prediction
Arizona 75, Tennessee 67
Moneyline
PASS on the Moneyline.
Tennessee has a real chance to win this game. But my feeling is with Arizona being at home, they will pull off the victory Saturday night.
Tennessee has the defense to slow the Wildcats. And it will. But not enough. With Arizona the victor, -170 is just a bit too high to wager on.
Against the spread
BET Arizona -3.5 (-110).
Arizona will hit enough 3’s to win this game. It may be close the stretch. But the shooting ability of Arizona will overcome the stifling defense of Tennessee to put up enough points to win and cover this small number. -3.5 seems right for this game. But I still like the Wildcats to cover. Arizona -3.5 (-110) is my favorite play.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 150.5 (-110).
Tennessee, and the No. 1 defense per KenPom, will hold Arizona down. This means Arizona will not get to its 92.5-point average. But it also means Tennessee will not need to score as much.
With Arizona getting to only 75, Tennessee will not get the game to the Over. Under 150.5 (-110) is the play.
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