The Northern Kentucky Norse and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Thompson-Boling Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Tennessee Volunteers prediction.
Northern Kentucky Norse Recap
The Northern Kentucky Norse come into this game looking to build on their season-opening 126-69 win over subdivision Cincinnati Clermont last time out to sit at 1-0 on the year. After this game, Northern Kentucky will head on the road for a game against East Tennessee State.
Norse Looking To Build On Blowout
Kael Robinson led the Norse with 22 points on 9 of 10 shooting with 4 threes while Dan Gherezgher Jr. had 18 points on 7 of 10 shooting with 6 rebounds. Donovan Oday and Tae Dozier each had 15 points with Dozier shooting 7 of 10 from the floor with 4 assists while Oday added 6 rebounds and 5 steals while shooting 6 of 11 from the field. LJ Wells added 14 points with 10 rebounds for the double-double and Shawn Nelson chipped in 13 points on 5 of 10 shooting with 4 steals to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Northern Kentucky in the win. Ethan Elliott also chipped in 8 points with a team-high 9 assists and 4 rebounds as well in the victory.
Why the Northern Kentucky Norse will win
- Northern Kentucky has won six of its last seven games.
Tennessee Volunteers Recap
The Tennessee Volunteers come into this game looking to build on a 76-61 win over Mercer last time out to sit at 1-0 on the year. After this game, Tennessee will head home for a game against North Florida.
Volunteers Looking To Defend Home Court
Nate Ament led the Vols with 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting with 9 rebounds while J-P Estrella added 12 points on 6 of 10 shooting with 5 rebounds as the only other double-digit scorer for the Vols in the winning effort. Jaylen Carey added 8 points with 10 rebounds to lead Tennessee on the glass and Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 8 points with a team-high 6 assists as well in the victory. Ethan Burg chipped in 5 assists and Bishop Boswell chipped in 5 points and 8 rebounds as well for Tennessee.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 37 games against non-Conference opponents at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
- Northern Kentucky has lost each of its last five road games against non-Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Northern Kentucky’s last seven day games have produced a total of 138+ points.
- Each of Tennessee’s last four day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 130 or fewer points.
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction
I’m going to lean towards Tennessee laying the points here. I think it’s going to be a real shock to the system for the Norse heading to Knoxville to take on this Volunteers team after blowing out a clearly inferior opponent in their opener. I think Tennessee’s defense suffocates NKU here and the Vols bag a dominant win and cover at home. Give me the Vols.