The Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) will be at home in Thompson-Boling Arena when they challenge the Mercer Bears (5-2). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 140.5 points with Tennessee set as a 10-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.
Mercer Bears at Tennessee Volunteers Free Preview
The Bears dismantled the Hiwassee College Tigers in their last outing, 90-53. Ethan Stair was the games leading scorer with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Mercer played a flawless game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.400 (above their season average of 0.306) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.0 (above their season average of 29.3). Hiwassee College had marks of 0.070 and 19.5, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Volunteers last game, they topped the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 67-58. Tennessee rallied around Grant Williams, who led the team in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Tennessee played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.358 (above their season average of 0.216) and a turnover percentage of 19.7 (worse than their season average of 15.8). North Carolina State was 0.236 and 24.5, respectively, for those same stats.
The physical Tennessee offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Volunteers rank 25th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.299, while Mercer ranks 167th in FTA rate allowed (0.240) dating back to last season. Moreover, the Bears rank 41st in offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 percent), while the Volunteers rank 251st in defensive rebounding percentage (69.5 percent).
Of Mercers 4 games that accepted bets, two have finished over the projected point total, while 2 of Tennessees 3 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Volunteers have a significant advantage. They are 4-1 SU and 2-1 ATS, while the Bears are 5-2 SU and 2-2 ATS.
Mercer Bears vs. Tennessee Volunteers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Mercer, ATS Winner – Mercer, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Volunteers rank 181st in steals per game (5.9) while the Bears rank 279th (4.8).
- Tennessee averages 14.4 assists per game, which ranks 102nd in the NCAA. Mercer ranks 161st in assists allowed per game (13.3).
- Mercer ranks 13th in rebounds allowed per game (31.0) while Tennessee ranks 238th (36.8).
- The Volunteers rank 67th in three pointers allowed per game (19.4) while the Bears rank 289th (24.5).
- Tennessee ranks 40th in blocks per game (4.8) while Mercer ranks 260th (2.4).
