Kentucky Wildcats vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/09/2024

Game Time: 4:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 9, 2024

Venue:  Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Knoxville, TN

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +9, Tennessee -9; Over/Under:  165 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +9, Tennessee -9; Over/Under:  165 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Kentucky +9, Tennessee -9; Over/Under:  165 points

Kentucky Wildcats:  22-8 (12-5) (4th place, SEC)

Tennessee Volunteers:  24-6 (14-3) (1st place, SEC)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Big Al McMordie is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on a 91-61-5 CBB RUN for +$23,640 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Kentucky Wildcats:  4-1  last 5

Tennessee Volunteers:  5-0  last 5

Kentucky is entering this game with a 22-8 record overall, a 12-5 record in conference games, and they are 6-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last game. Rob Dillingham led the team in points per game in that game with 23 while Antonio Reeves was next on the team with 20. Reed Sheppard led the team in assists with 11 in that game while Antonio Reeves and Adou Thiero each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 50.7% from the field, 40.7% from 3-point range, and 88.9% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 89.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 79.1 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 17-13 this season and their O/U record is 22-8.

Tennessee is entering this game with a 24-6 record overall, a 14-3 conference record, and they are 14-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in their last game. Dalton Knecht led the team in points in that game with 26 while Jonas Aidoo was next on the team with 14. Zakai Zeigler led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Jonas Aidoo led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 35.7% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 86.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.1 PPG against them. Tennessee has an ATS record of 16-13-1 this season and their O/U record is 16-14.

The current betting odds have Tennessee listed as a 9 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Tennessee has looked really good in their games this season with their 24-6 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country and also ranked as one of the best in the nation. They have looked great in the SEC this year with their 14-3 conference record which leads the way and they have also looked really good on their home court with their 14-1 home record. Meanwhile, Kentucky has also looked good in their games this season with their 22-8 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have looked good in the SEC this year with their 12-5 conference record and they have also been a good road team with their 6-3 road record. Kentucky has also looked really good in their games lately with their 4-1 record in their last 5 games and they have some momentum on their side with 4 wins in a row now, but as good as they have been lately, Tennessee has still been the hotter team coming into this one. Tennessee is 5-0 in their last 5 games and has a lot more momentum on their side with 7 wins in a row now. They also have the advantage being on their home court here and they won't rest in this game as even though they have locked up the SEC regular season championship, they are still trying to make a case for themselves as a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament so expect them to hold nothing back here and continue to roll in this final game of the season. The best way to place a bet here is on Tennessee to cover the spread in this game. 

Kentucky Tennessee Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 9, 2024 (4:00 pm ET start time) is Tennessee 84 Kentucky 71.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Kentucky Wildcats Tennessee Volunteers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Kentucky Wildcats: 9-18 ATS off a home win scoring 85 or more points. 18-26 ATS off a home win. 4-12 ATS after 4 or more consecutive wins. 22-8 OVER in all games. 12-5 OVER against conference opponents. 18-3 OVER after one or more consecutive overs. 

Tennessee Volunteers: 30-17 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 11-6 ATS against conference opponents. 6-1 ATS after playing 2 consecutive road games. 5-1 OVER after 2 straight games committing 8 or less turnovers. 10-5 OVER after a game where they covered the spread. 17-9 OVER after a combined score of 125 points or less.

Kentucky Wildcats:  None.

Tennessee Volunteers:  None.

“Knowing that he's like a little microwave out there, it's really just fun to see. When he gets the ball, just get out of the way because you know he's going to make a play.” - Antonio Reeves on Rob Dillingham after their win against Vanderbilt in their last game on Wednesday.

“One thing about Dalton, he's not afraid. The guys feed off him. He gives them confidence.” - Rick Barnes after his team’s win against South Carolina in their last game on Wednesday.

A. Bradshaw 

J. Edwards 

T. Mitchell 

A. Reeves 

D. Wagner

J. Aidoo 

J. James 

D. Knecht 

S. Vescovi 

Z. Zeigler

PPG: A. Reeves (20)

APG: R. Sheppard (4.5)

Reb/G: T. Mitchell (7.1)

PPG: D. Knecht (20.7)

APG: Z. Zeigler (5.9)

Reb/G: J. Aidoo (7.6)

Coaches:

Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari (15th season)

Tennessee Volunteers: Rick Barnes (9th season)