Texas Longhorns (21-12) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (25-8)
March 23, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Tennessee Volunteers -6; Over/Under: 146.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Saturday in NCAA Tournament Second Round college basketball action from Spectrum Center. Here’s a Texas vs Tennessee prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Texas recent form and player performance
- The Tennessee recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Texas
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Tennessee
- Recent betting trends in games played between Texas and Tennessee
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Texas vs Tennessee game
Texas Betting Preview
Texas got off to a nice 11-2 start this year, but wasn’t able to win more than two consecutive games after that amid a tough schedule. The Longhorns were bounced out of their first conference tournament game 78-74 versus Kansas State, but recovered with a First Round win.
In the NCAA Tournament matchup versus Colorado State on Thursday, the Longhorns posted a great defensive effort. Texas held the Rams to just 11 points in the first half, then powered out a 56-44 win in the end. Lead scorers Max Abmas and Dylan Disu each had 12 points in the victory.
Tennessee Betting Preview
Over on the Tennessee side, they had a seven-game win streak going late in the year. The Volunteers lost to Kentucky in their final game, then fell 73-56 versus Mississippi State in the conference tourney. Tennessee would get a win over Saint Peter’s in their next outing, though.
In the Thursday game versus Saint Peter’s, the Volunteers jumped out to a 46-20 edge by halftime. Tennessee kept it rolling with a 37-29 advantage from there and took the victory 83-49 in the end. Dalton Knecht was the leading scorer on the team with 23 points and eight boards.
Tennessee Volunteers Team Facts
- Tennessee has won each of its last eight night games.
- Sixteen of Tennessee’s last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
- Tennessee has won the first half in each of its last eight night games played at neutral venues.
Texas Longhorns Team Facts
- Texas has won each of its last six games against non-Conference opponents.
- Seven of Texas’ last eight night games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148+ points.
- Texas has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 games played at neutral venues.
Matchup/League Facts
- Tennessee ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.5%).
- Tennessee ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.67).
- Texas ranks 35th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (18.5).
- Texas ranks 36th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (15.9).
Texas vs Tennessee Prediction
I’ll stick with Tennessee. The Volunteers had a bad game against Mississippi State in the conference tournament, however they were able to bounce back well in the Saint Peter’s matchup. Tennessee shot a nice 50.9 percent from the field in that one with 45.8 percent from 3-point range and 47 rebounds. The 15 turnovers (for 14 Peacocks points) and 18-of-25 (72 percent) from the line were about the only blemishes.
As for Texas, they were great defensively in the Colorado State game, holding the Rams to j but 29.3 percent shooting overall. The Longhorns hit just 1-of-14 (7.1 percent) from 3-point range and 11-of-17 (64.7 percent) from the line themselves, though. Saturday’s matchup should be a pretty good one, and you could make a case either way. I like Tennessee to assert themselves and cover but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go the Longhorns’ way either. The winner of this game will meet Creighton or Oregon in the next round.
