#12 Kentucky vs #8 Tennessee Picks and Predictions

[SBR Andy]

We've got an SEC showdown tonight at 7:00 PM ET with Kentucky taking on Tennessee. The Volunteers are a 10.5 point home favorite with a total of 146.

Line History

Matchups Stats

Picks and Predictions

Can the Wildcats keep it close or will the Vols pull away? I'm on Tennessee -9.

[SBR Andy]

Kentucky vs Tennessee prediction and best bet from SBR's Rob Paul:

ATS Pick: Tennessee -10 (-110 bet365)

"After losing to Vanderbilt by one last week, Tennessee got back to its old ways by beating a ranked Mississippi State team by 12 and then going toe-to-toe with Auburn on the road. They only lost to the Tigers when they missed a last-second three, and that was a squad that had Johni Broome back, Cooper Flagg's only competition in the Wooden Award odds race.

The Vols covered against Auburn as a 7-point dog and are now 13-7 ATS this season, while Kentucky is just 9-10 and coming off back-to-back losses to Vandy and Alabama, both of whom they were favored against. Both losses highlighted Mark Pope's team's defensive issues - it's 299th in points allowed per game (76.0) and just 81st in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.

The combo of Chaz Lanier (18.0 PPG) and Zakai Zeigler (12.3 PPG, 7.5 APG) should give the Wildcats' defense all it can handle. And that poor defensive play is why Kentucky feels like it's in a shootout every night, but the Vols have the best defense in the country - first in adjusted efficiency, third in points allowed (58.4).

The Wildcats will have too much trouble penetrating a defense that holds opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage in the nation (36%) to cover."


Best Bet: Zakai Zeigler Over 21.5 points & assists (-115 FanDuel)

"While Lanier may be Tennessee's leading scorer, Zeigler is the heart and soul of this team on both ends of the court. The 5-foot-9, two-time All-SEC guard is one of the best passers in the country and one of just three players putting up 12-plus PPG and seven-plus APG.

Given Kentucky's defensive woes, Zeigler is poised to go Over 21.5 points and assists for the 10th time this season. The Wildcats are 355th in assists allowed per game (12.5) and 16th in SEC play (13.8).

The apples should come easy to Zeigler with Lanier flanking him, and his ability to get to the charity stripe should come in handy too - Kentucky is 16th in the SEC in free throws allowed per game (26.8)."

[veriableodds]

Kentucky injured players
G - lamont butler - out
F - Anfrew carr - questionable?

[Mac4Lyfe]

Kentucky injured players
G - lamont butler - out
F - Anfrew carr - questionable?

I believe both are out. Take UT minus the points.

[GameWages]

I like the Volunteers at home -11. Once Tennessee starts rolling at home, Kentucky won't have much of an answer.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Tennessee can’t shoot worth a shit. But should be down 20 and it’s a 2 point game.