Tennessee Volunteers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview
Where: Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
When: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 – 7:00 PM ET
Line: Tennessee Volunteers (+13.5) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-13.5) – view all NCAAB lines
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Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers (14-11, 6-6 SEC)
With their disappointing 76-75 loss against the Georgia Bulldogs this past Saturday, the Volunteers’ tournament hopes took a big blow, as it made their margin of error go slimmer than it already is.
Robert Hubbs III (14.3 PPG) and Grant Williams (12 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2 BPG) were basically left alone in the offensive attack, and they were the only guys on the team to reach double figures, especially Williams, who scored a game-high 30 points and three blocks.
On paper, there are minimal reasons to believe that this team can win Tuesday night. They are only 49th and 51st on Kenpom.com’s offensive and defensive rankings, respectively, while also owning a mediocre 44.9 field goal percentage on the season.
However, as you may remember, the Vols knocked off the powerhouse Wildcats just a mere three weeks ago. Through patience and hustle late in the second half, Tennessee accounted for a handful of extra possessions and Kentucky turnovers, allowing a huge 82-80 upset win.
In the contest, Hubbs III had one of his highest point totals on the year, with 25 points, while his running partner, Williams, displayed his defensive abilities, recording three steals and four blocks.
The Vols are just 5-6 in their last 11 games on the road, but are 8-3 ATS.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (20-5, 10-2 SEC)
The Wildcats saw themselves drop six places in the most recent polls – ninth to 15th – as they have only gone 3-3 (1-5 ATS) after winning 17 of their first 19 games.
It’s an unexpected awful stretch for the perennial number one seed. After putting up 92.9 PPG on 50 percent shooting in their first 19 games, they are only able to produce 78 PPG on 43.6 percent shooting in their last six.
Interestingly enough, the struggles began when they shockingly lost to the Vols three weeks back. The Wildcats posted several stats in the game that were on the brink of becoming their season-lows, including field goal percentage, field goals, offensive rebounds, and assists.
Despite that, though, we shouldn’t forget that this is a team stacked with talent. Malik Monk (21.9 PPG) and Bam Adebayo (12.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) alone are big threats inside and out, and the defense will still have to stop the team’s two do-it-all guys, De’Aaron Fox (15.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG) and Isaiah Briscoe (13.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.4 APG).
Through their big four, Kenpom.com has the ‘Cats ninth in offensive efficiency and 18th in defensive efficiency.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky (-13.5) exacts revenge, 90-76.
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