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The No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (9-0) visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-2) Saturday. Tip-off from State Farm Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Tennessee vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The top-ranked Volunteers remained undefeated after handling Miami 75-62 Tuesday while failing to cover as 14.5-point home favorites. G Chaz Lanier scored a game-high 22 points while Tennessee shot 48.1% from the field.
Illinois got back in the win column Tuesday with an 86-80 win over Wisconsin while failing to cover as a 6.5-point home favorite. G Kasparas Jakucionis led all scorers with 24 points while G Tre White added 23 in the win.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Tennessee at Illinois odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tennessee -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Illinois +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee -1.5 (-105) | Illinois +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Tennessee at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 74, Illinois 70
Moneyline
PASS.
While not by much, the spread has more value on Tennessee (-120).
Against the spread
BET TENNESSEE -1.5 (-105).
The Volunteers have been nearly unstoppable this season, winning all 9 of their games and covering 7 of their last 8. They have won by a combined 44 points in their 2 road games this season, one of which was against Louisville as underdogs.
Illinois has failed to cover the spread in back-to-back games and 4 of its last 7.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 146.5 (-105).
The Volunteers have one of the top defenses in basketball, allowing 62 or fewer points in 4 of their last 5 games and 64 or fewer in 7 of their 9. They have scored 78 or fewer in 4 of their last 5 as well.
Illinois has hit the Under in 3 of its last 5 games while allowing 70 or fewer points in 3 of its last 5.
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