Kentucky Wildcats at Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview/Prop Pick

Tuesday night is usually a big night for college basketball, and there are plenty of big games on the schedule. The Tennessee Volunteers host the Kentucky Wildcats in one of those games, and this should be a terrific battle. 

Kentucky comes into this game having won six straight, and the Wildcats have moved all the way up to number 4 in the latest poll. The Wildcats are going to be a nightmare to deal with in the NCAA Tournament, and they have been great on the road this season.

Tennessee has gone 18-6 so far this year, and they are back in the Top 25 as well. The Volunteers have rattled off four straight wins, but this will be a massive test at home for Tennessee. 

The Tennessee Volunteers are one-point betting favorites over the Kentucky Wildcats in this huge SEC Showdown.

Kentucky Killing Teams Inside

The Kentucky Wildcats do everything well this season, but their biggest strength has been the production they are getting in the paint. Kentucky is scoring 81.3 points per game, and they are also holding opponents to just 64 points per night. 

Oscar Tshiebwe might be the best player in the country this season as he is leading the way with 16.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. Tshiebwe has been an absolute monster in SEC Conference action, and that has opened things up for the rest of his team.

The Kentucky defense has been giving opponents fits all season long, and that includes a recent win over the Kansas Jayhawks. Kentucky can still speed up the temp but then completely shut down an opponent. 

Volunteers Have to Make Shots

If Tennessee is going to win this game, then they are going to have to shoot the ball well from deep. The Volunteers are shooting less than 44 percent from the floor, and they are going to struggle to get some shots against Kentucky.

The big advantage for Tennessee is the fact that they have a number of offensive weapons, led by Santiago Vescovi. Vescovi has scored 13.6 points per game this season, and Kennedy Chandler leads the way with 4.8 assists per game. 

Tennessee has been a solid defensive team as well this season, holding opponents to just 63 points per game. The Volunteers will have to find a way to slow down Tshiebwe if they want to pick up this win. 

Tennessee Takes Care of Business

Kentucky comes into this showdown playing their best basketball of the season, and they look like one of the best teams in the country. Tennessee has been terrific this season as well, and the Volunteers are always tough to beat on their home floor. 

This should be a tight game throughout as each team will be looking to establish their identity with their defense. Kentucky has been scoring points like crazy lately, but they just won’t find as much success on the offensive end of the floor in this game. 

These two teams could meet up again in the SEC Tournament, and this game should be a thriller on Tuesday night. Bet the Tennessee Volunteers -1.0 and the OVER as they take care of business and pick up a comfortable victory in this game.

Prop Pick

Kentucky (-120) UNDER 70.5 Points

The Volunteers are allowing an average of 63.1 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 35 in the nation. That average drops down to 59.2 points per game at home. Scores have gone UNDER in six of Kentucky’s last eight road games.

With Dunkel predicting a Tennessee victory by the score of 74-69, take the Wildcats (-120) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 70.5 points against the Volunteers.

Be sure to check out all of our NCAAB picks!