SEC foes will collide when the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers (9-4, 0-2 SEC) take on the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats (12-2, 2-0 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 144.5 points with Tennessee set as a 2.5-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
In the Wildcats last game, they barely escaped the LSU Tigers, 74-71. With 16 points and 11 rebounds, Kentucky’s Kevin Knox put together a solid outing. Kentucky played a nearly flawless game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.549 (above their season average of 0.526) and a free throw rate of 0.115 (below their season average of 0.289). For those same stats, LSU put up marks of 0.492 and 0.108, respectively.
The Volunteers are trying to rebound after their 94-84 loss to the Auburn Tigers in their last game. Lamonte Turner was the games leading scorer with 25 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Auburn had a turnover percentage of 10.3 (better than their season average of 15.4). Tennessee, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (30-37; 81.1 percent).
The offensive glass could be a huge advantage for Tennessee in this matchup. The Volunteers currently rank 38th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.3 percent), while Kentucky ranks 255th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.4 percent).
This is the first time these teams will meet this year, after splitting two games last season. The Wildcats won the most recent matchup 83-58. The Wildcats dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 8.6 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6. The Volunteers had marks of 17.2 and 15.4, respectively, for those same stats.
Kentucky Wildcats at Tennessee Volunteers Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Volunteers rank 26th in blocks per game (5.4) while the Wildcats rank 80th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
- Tennessee averages 6.8 steals per game, which ranks 89th in the NCAA. Kentucky ranks 94th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
- Tennessee ranks 79th in three pointers allowed per game (20.6) while Kentucky ranks 245th (26.2).
- The Wildcats rank 39th in rebounds per game (39.9) while the Volunteers rank 179th in rebounds allowed per game (36.5).
- Tennessee averages 17.5 assists per game, which ranks 27th in the NCAA. Kentucky ranks 113th in assists allowed per game (13.2).
Betting Trends:
- The Volunteers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 9.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 79.6 points per game (0.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (3.3 above their season average).
