It will be a clash between two exceptional defenses when the Florida Gators (9-5, 1-1 SEC) go head-to-head against the third-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (13-1, 2-0 SEC) at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The game will air on ESPN at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Gators defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 57-51, while the Volunteers easily got past the Missouri Tigers 87-63.
Tennessee played a perfect game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.310 (above their season average of 0.286) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.595 (above their season average of 0.567). Missouri was 0.224 and 0.431, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, Florida’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Arkansas. The Gators had a rate of 15.3 (better than their season average of 15.5), while the Razorbacks posted a mark of 20.7 (above their season average of 15.0). KeVaughn Allen had a solid performance for Florida, contributing 18 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Kyle Alexander was a key piece for Tennessee with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
The Volunteers won the sole contest between these two teams last season, 62-57. Tennessee did an excellent job of making free throws (13-15; 86.7 percent). Florida, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 19.4). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The Volunteers’ Jordan Bone has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 17 points,6.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, Noah Locke has averaged 13 points during that same time frame for the Gators.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this matchup between a pair of the NCAA’s top defenses. Florida ranks 11th in defensive efficiency (89.1) and Tennessee is 26th (91.7). Additionally, the Volunteers commit the 26th-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent), while the gambling defense of the Gators causes the 15th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 24.6 percent).
Tennessee vs. Florida ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – Tennessee, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Florida ranks 73rd in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while Tennessee ranks 227th (19.0).
- The Gators rank 32nd in steals per game (8.2) while the Volunteers rank 140th (5.7).
- Tennessee ranks third in blocks per game (6.2) while Florida ranks 45th in blocks allowed per game (2.7).
- The Volunteers rank second in assists per game (20.9) while the Gators rank 140th (13.1).
- Tennessee ranks 20th in rebounds per game (40.7) while Florida ranks 130th (36.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Volunteers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 29.0, up from 21.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gators have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 56.8 points per game (3.2 below their season average).
