Tennessee Tech vs. Tennessee NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

The Tennessee Volunteers are undefeated this year. On the other side of that coin, Tennessee Tech has failed to win a game. Because of that, college basketball odds favor Tennessee by 28 points. Will they cover that lofty spread? Let’s take a look at how this game will play out.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Tennessee Volunteers 

Friday, December 18, 2020 – 07:00 PM EST at Thompson-Boling Arena

Many expect the Vols to be one of the best teams in the SEC this season. After just three games, they have lived up to that standard. Senior John Fulkerson has led the team, but there are plenty of upperclassmen that will carry the Vols to victories during this season.

Freshman Jaden Springer is going to be a key player off the bench for Tennessee. As he grows, he will compete for a starting role in this offense.

While the Vols have plenty of reasons to be excited, they are going to first have to get through a frustrating game against Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles have not won a game all season, and they will not win this game either. Tennessee gets more competition at practice than they will in this game.

Keys for Tennessee to Cover the Spread

Tennessee needs to get off to a hot start to cover the spread set by the best sportsbooks. When there is a clear gap in talent between teams, the superior team often starts a game sluggishly. That keeps the game closer than it needs to be before the better team inevitably pulls away in the second half. Tennessee could do this, and no one would blink an eye. That being said, a win in that fashion would likely fail to cover.

Tennessee will play its entire rotation in this game. With this large of a spread, even the reserve players will have to extend the lead. Thankfully, Tennessee has recruited some great freshmen who need more opportunities to play.

The Vols have the best scoring defense in the country. As long as they play their typical style of defense, they will be able to win this game by at least 20 points. These other keys will help push them closer to covering the spread.

Keys for Tennessee Tech to Cover the Spread

Let’s be honest. Tennessee Tech does not believe that they will shock the world in this game. They have been competitive, but their limited offense has kept them from winning a single game, and they haven’t played anyone as talented as Tennessee yet.

Tennessee Tech is one of the worst teams at holding onto the basketball. Whether they have to simplify the offense or keep the ball in the safest hands, they must avoid so many turnovers. Tennessee loves to jump into passing lanes and force turnovers, and the Golden Eagles need to be cognizant of that.

It’s safe to assume that Tennessee Tech won’t be able to rely on transition points in this game. They will also turn the ball over if they stick with their traditional offense. Because of that, they are going to settle for shooting threes.

Tennessee Tech is abysmal from behind the arc. This does not speak well for their chances of keeping the game close, but they have to improve. To do so, they need to try to get in a rhythm and shoot with space. Tennessee will let Tech shoot the three until they start hitting the shot, so they’re going to have to take advantage of this.

Time to Make a Pick

The moneyline in this game is not worth looking at. Tennessee’s moneyline is so low that you might as well put the money in a savings account, and the Golden Eagles are almost certainly going to lose. If Tennessee lost this game, it would be the biggest upset in the past five years.

The spread is large, but Tennessee is disciplined enough to cover. As long as they push the court and stay hot, they should be close to the spread. That means that it will come down to the reserves, and I trust Tennessee’s bench more than I do Tennessee Tech’s starters. With your college basketball picks look for Tennessee to cover this massive spread.

NCAAB Pick: Tennessee -28 (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

Tennessee -28(-115)

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