The Tennessee Volunteers (6-0 overall, 0-0 SEC) and Missouri Tigers (6-0, 0-0) are slated for an SEC battle in Columbia, Mo., Wednesday. The Vols and Tigers will tip-off at 9 p.m. ET at Mizzou Arena. Below, we analyze the Tennessee-Missouri college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Tennessee is No. 6 in the Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. Missouri is ranked 12th.
Tennessee at Missouri: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Tennessee -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Missouri +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread/ATS: Tennessee -3.5 (-115) | Missouri +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 132.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Tennessee at Missouri: Three things to know
- Wednesday’s contest at Mizzou Arena marks the SEC opener for both teams. The Vols and Tigers finished eighth and 10th, respectively, in last year’s circuit standings, but both are well-regarded as contenders on the conference (and national) scene in 2020-21. Tennessee and Missouri met once last year, with the Volunteers winning, 69-59. UT has won three straight and seven of its last 10 against Mizzou.
- The Vols enter Wednesday’s game ranked second in the nation in scoring defense. Tennessee has held every opponent to 66 or fewer points and is yielding just 52.7 points per game. In possession-rate analytics, the Volunteers rank in the top-20 in field-goal defense, blocked shots and creating turnovers. Over its last four games, UT is plus-28 in the turnover margin with 25 blocked shots.
- Missouri has also been strong on defense. The Tigers have held foes under 42% from the floor in five of their six games. Mizzou has allowed just 65.3 PPG (91st NCAA-I). A year ago, the Tigers were a top-60 defense, allowing 65.2 PPG.
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Tennessee at Missouri: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Missouri 66, Tennessee 63
Money line (ML)
Mizzou has played the better schedule, and the Tigers have been especially sound in denying good looks, winning board battles and converting at the free-throw line. Look for a veteran group to hold its own with the Tigers in a game that goes down to the wire.
THERE IS VALUE IN A MISSOURI (+150) PLAY.
Against the spread (ATS)
Consider hedging with a split play by pairing the above with a TIGERS +3.5 (-105) ticket.
Over/Under (O/U)
Missouri is solid inside, but the Tigers will be tested by the Vols’ strong interior defense. Both teams play a slow-down style and will be looking to contest every shot to the hilt in order to get off on the right foot in league play.
BACK THE UNDER 132.5 (-105).
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