The Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2) will attempt to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers (9-2) at Bud Walton Arena. Action starts at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30, 2017, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview
The last time the Volunteers played, they won big over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 79-60. Jordan Bowden led Tennessee in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-5 shooting. The Volunteers, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.504, had a fantastic mark of 0.607, while the Demon Deacons had a turnover percentage of 24.9 (above their season average of 17.1).
The Razorbacks will look to keep it rolling after thoroughly outplaying the Bakersfield Roadrunners in their last game, 95-68. Arkansas Daryl Macon played a pivotal role with 16 points and eight assists. Arkansas dominated every facet of the game. They had a great turnover percentage of 9.9 (better than their season average of 12.4) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 43.6 (above their season average of 26.8). For those same stats, Bakersfield was 18.5 and 31.8, respectively.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Arkansas ranks 23rd in offensive efficiency and Tennessee ranks 52nd in defensive efficiency.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams, after the Razorbacks won the only contest last season, 82-78. Arkansas had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.546 vs. 0.430). Tennessee, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.1 vs. 14.7).
Tennessee Volunteers at Arkansas Razorbacks Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Arkansas, ATS Winner – Arkansas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Volunteers average 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks 18th in the nation. The Razorbacks rank 61st in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
- Tennessee ranks 157th in three pointers attempted per game (21.6) while Arkansas ranks 192nd in three pointers allowed per game (24.1).
- Tennessee averages 17.8 assists per game, which ranks 25th in the NCAA. Arkansas ranks 109th in assists allowed per game (12.9).
- The Volunteers rank 76th in rebounds per game (37.8) while the Razorbacks rank 152nd in rebounds allowed per game (35.3).
- Arkansas ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Tennessee ranks 86th (6.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Razorbacks average margin of victory in their last five games has been 25.8, up from 16.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
