Both the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats are coming off losses, so expect these two teams to be extra motivated this coming Saturday in Lexington. Check out our preview of Tennessee vs. Kentucky below.
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Betting Preview for the Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats NCAA College Basketball Game on February 6 2021
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
When: Saturday, February 6, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Tennessee Volunteers (odds) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (odds) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers (odds)
Record: 12-4 Overall / 5-4 Conference
After pulling off back-to-back wins over the Mississippi State Bulldogs (56-53) and the Kansas Jayhawks (80-61) both at home, the Volunteers took a humble pie to their face in a 52-60 loss to the Mississippi Rebels on the road last Tuesday. The Vols sputtered offensively, particularly inside the arc, as they shot only 8 of 26 on 2-point attempts. They were better behind the arc, going 8 of 26 on 3-pointers. The defense looked as stout as ever for Tennessee in that game, though, as the Rebels shot just 39.2 percent from the field. Making baskets is a harder task for teams when up against Tennessee, which is No. 1 in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom, allowing just 86.0 points per 100 possessions. They are also fourth overall with just 58.9 points allowed per game. Tennessee has not allowed its opponents to shoot better than 40 percent from the field in its last three games.
The under is 4-0 in Tennessee’s last four games away from home.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (odds)
Record: 5-11 Overall / 4-5 Conference
Kentucky’s frustrating season gets even harder to watch for Wildcats fans following losses to the Alabama Crimson Tide (70-59) and to the Missouri Tigers (75-70) both on the road in their last two games. The last time Kentucky won was when it hosted the LSU Tigers on Jan. 23 and defeated Will Wade’s boys, 82-69. Unlike in previous seasons, Kentucky is struggling to put points on the board. The Wildcats are only 242nd in the nation with 67.6 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from the field. It doesn’t bode well for their offense that they will be up against Tennessee’s elite defense up next. But Kentucky can also just keep the game close and within striking distance by applying its own stingy defense on the Vols. Kentucky is 14th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency with just 90.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. The Wildcats protect the rim well, as they are fourth nationally with a 16.0 block percentage and second with 6.2 blocks per game.
The over is 3-0 in Kentucky’s last three home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Tennessee wins, 62-59.
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