In this article we will formulate a Tennessee vs Illinois prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, December 6th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers are 7-2 this season after they lost to Syracuse by a score of 62-60 in their last game. Tennessee trailed 32-30 at halftime and allowed the go ahead free throw with 13 seconds left for the loss. The Volunteers shot 41% from the field, 31% on three pointers, and 53% on free throws in the game. Jaylen Carey led Tennessee with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Nate Ament added 11 points and six rebounds in the loss.
Prior to that game, Tennessee lost to Kansas by a score of 81-76, but did beat Houston by a score of 76-73 before that. The Volunteers have scored 83.0 points per game with 43 rebounds and 19.2 assists per game, while they have allowed 65.0 points against per game this season. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 assists per game, while Nate Ament is averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for the Volunteers. Tennessee is shooting 48% from the field, 75.3% on free throws, and 35.1% on three pointers this season.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 6-2 this year after they lost to UConn by a score of 74-61 in their last game. Illinois trailed 43-32 at halftime and only managed 29 points in the second half for the loss. The Fighting Illini shot 32% from the field, 21% on three pointers, and 94% on free throws in the game. Kylan Boswell led Illinois with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic added 11 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Prior to that game, Illinois defeated UT Rio Grande by a score of 87-73 and LIU by a score of 98-58. The Fighting Illini have scored 90.4 points per game with 44.5 rebounds and 14.3 assists per game, while they have allowed 70.3 points against per game this season. Kylan Boswell is averaging 17.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Andrej Stojakovic is averaging 16.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Fighting Illini. Illinois is shooting 48.1% from the field, 78.6% on free throws, and 32.5% on three pointers this year.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 10 night games played at neutral venues.
- Illinois has lost seven of its last eight games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Tennessee has won the first half in 15 of its last 16 night games played at neutral venues.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Illinois has won seven of its last eight games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Tennessee has lost four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents at Bridgestone Arena.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last seven night games.
Total Points Facts
- Seventeen of Tennessee’s last 18 night games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
- Each of Illinois’ last six games against the Southeastern Conference at neutral venues have produced a total of 157+ points.
Tennessee vs Illinois Prediction
Both of these teams come into this contest with two losses on the season and they are ranked 13th and 14th, so this is a very even matchup. Illinois has split their last four games with losses to UConn and Alabama, but they do have a win over Texas Tech. The Illini are shooting 48% from the field and they have scored at least 84 points in four of their last five. Tennessee has lost back to back games to Kansas and Syracuse, but did upset Houston prior to that. The Vols are shooting 48% from the field and they have allowed 62 points or fewer in three of their last five. I don’t really love either team in this contest, but I do think Tennessee’s defense will lead them to a very close win. Take the Volunteers here.