Two top-10 team meet when the 4th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (17-3) host the No. 10 Texas Longhorns (17-3) in Knoxville Saturday for an SEC/Big 12 Challenge matchup. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas vs. Tennessee odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
After the firing of coach Chris Beard earlier this season (following an arrest on felony domestic abuse charges), it was wait and see to find out how the Longhorns would manage the circumstances and if it would affect the morale of the team. At No. 10 in the country, the question has seemingly been answered and Texas is going to be fine.
In their last game, the Longhorns beat conference foe Oklahoma State 89-75 as an 8-point favorite Tuesday. This was Texas’ 2nd win in a row — it beat West Virginia 69-61 Jan. 21 as a 1-point road underdog. The Longhorns average 80.5 points per game (ranking 22nd according to NCAA.org) and allow 66.8 PPG (107th).
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s defense ranks 1st in least points allowed (53.7 PPG), 1st in opponent’s field-goal percentage (33.9%), 1st in 3-point percentage allowed (21.6%) and 9th in steals per game (9.7). Offensively, the Volunteers score 74.1 PPG (130th).
The strength of the Tennessee defense on its home court will look to take down the high-scoring offense of Texas. Whichever side is able to impose its will, will be the victors at the end of this one.
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Texas at Tennessee odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:04 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Tennessee -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas +5.5 (-110) | Tennessee -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Texas at Tennessee picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 70, Texas 67
Moneyline
PASS.
This should be a close game, so there’s some value with Texas (+185). But let’s play it safe and take the points with the spread below.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
TEXAS +5.5 (-110) is the play.
Coming off a nice victory over Oklahoma State, Texas will be focused on scoring against the tough Tennessee defense. The Longhorns sit 2nd in the SEC — behind front-runner No. 2 Alabama — and are also coming off an impressive victory, routing Georgia 70-41 Wednesday as 16.5-point home favorites. The length of Texas will be a different matter for Tennessee as it will be forced to deal with talent it has not seen in its recent competition.
A close game is in store for this matchup between top-10 teams and the 5.5-point line is too much. The Volunteers often struggle following a dominating victory. In 8 games this season after holding an opponent to under 50 points, the Vols failed to cover the spread 6 times.
This will be another struggle for Tennessee. Texas will keep it close to the end.
Over/Under
BET OVER 132.5 (-115).
Despite Tennessee having the best defense in the nation, 4 of its last 5 games against winning teams have cashed Over tickets. Texas has also been playing a lot of games Over the total recently with 9 of its last 12 games hitting the Over.
With this being a close game down the stretch, both teams will look to get to the free-throw line and the points garnered there will help push this one Over.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Dominick Petrillo 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]