Expect a high-scoring game when the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (23-1, 11-0 SEC) square off against the fifth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (20-4, 9-2 SEC) at Rupp Arena. The game will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
Tennessee Volunteers at Kentucky Wildcats Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Wildcats lost a winnable game to the 19th-ranked LSU Tigers, 73-71, while the Volunteers defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks, 85-73.
Tennessee dominated every stat category in the game. They had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 38.2 (above their season average of 31.8) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.558 (below their season average of 0.572). South Carolina was 30.8 and 0.524, respectively, for those same stats. Kentucky, on the other hand, held LSU to an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (below their season average of 37.3). Kentucky’s PJ Washington led the way, recording 20 points and nine rebounds. Admiral Schofield played a key role for Tennessee with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Volunteers edged out the Wildcats in this series last year, winning two out of three games. In the most recent matchup, Kentucky won 77-72. Making free throws was one of Kentucky’s largest advantages. They were 20-24 (83.3 percent), while the Volunteers were 16-20 (80.0 percent). This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Kentucky currently ranks 18th in offensive efficiency and Tennessee ranks 44th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Volunteers rank 45th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.278), while the Wildcats rank 41st in opponents’ FTA rate (0.187).
Tennessee at Kentucky Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – Tennessee, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Kentucky ranks sixth in rebounds allowed per game (29.3) while Tennessee ranks 104th (34.0).
- The Volunteers rank third in blocks per game (5.9) while the Wildcats rank 92nd in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
- The Volunteers rank first in assists per game (20.0) while the Wildcats rank 98th (14.2).
- Kentucky ranks 140th in three pointers allowed per game (22.0) while Tennessee ranks 230th (24.3).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 83.0 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.2, up from 12.9 for the season.
