Tennessee vs. Kentucky Prediction
Can No. 1 Tennessee go on the road and pick up its biggest SEC win yet when it takes on No. 5 Kentucky tonight at 8PM ET?
731 Tennessee vs. 732 Kentucky
Saturday, February 16, 2019
8PM ET – Rupp Arena
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Kentucky is the slight favorite at home today, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -4 points against Tennessee. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 145 points. The public betting currently has 61 percent going on Tennessee on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Vols stay unbeaten in SEC
Tennessee stayed unbeaten in the SEC on Wednesday thanks to an 85-73 win over South Carolina at home. The Vols failed to cover a 15-point spread in the win. Tennessee is 23-1 on the season, 11-0 in the SEC, 6-0 on the road, 13-9-1 against the spread and 13-10 with the over.
The Volunteers have one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 85.4 points per game while shooting 51.5 percent as a team. Defensively, Tennessee is giving up 67.5 points per game while holding opponents to just 39.1 percent shooting. Grant Williams is leading the team with 19.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while Admiral Schofield is adding 16.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.
Kentucky ends long win streak
Kentucky was upset on Tuesday night when it suffered a 73-71 loss at home to LSU to snap a long win streak and 8-game cover streak. The Wildcats are now 20-4 on the season, 14-10 against the spread, 9-2 in the SEC, 13-1 at home and 15-9 with the under.
The Wildcats are putting up 78.4 points per game this season while shooting 47.5 percent as a team. Defensively, Kentucky is allowing 65.5 points per game while holding opponents to 40.7 percent shooting. PJ Washington is leading the team with 14.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while Keldon Johnson is adding 14.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Tennessee
The Volunteers are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven Saturday games and 17-5 ATS in their last 22 road games.
Kentucky
Kentucky is just 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 games following a loss, but 7-1 ATS in their last eight SEC games.
Prediction:
Following its loss at Alabama, Kentucky failed to cover in its next two games. While the Wildcats should be pumped up for this big game after a loss, I think Tennessee is just the better team. The Vols should have plenty of motivation as well. They find themselves as the top-ranked team in the nation and still an underdog today. This team knows how to win and is high level on offense and defense. Tennessee has had some big road wins this season and I think they can get another tonight, or at least cover the spread.
College Basketball Prediction: Tennessee +4