Tennessee Volunteers vs Missouri Tigers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/10/2023

by Rod Pearson

Thursday, Mar 09, 2023
Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Friday, March 10, 2023
Venue:  Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Where to Watch:  ESPN


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Tennessee -6, Missouri +6; Over/Under:  143.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Tennessee -6, Missouri +6; Over/Under:  143.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Tennessee -6, Missouri +6; Over/Under:  143.5 points

Season Record

Tennessee Volunteers:  23-9 (11-7) (5th place, SEC)
Missouri Tigers:  23-8 (11-7) (4th place, SEC)

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Recent Form
Tennessee Volunteers:  3-2  last 5
Missouri Tigers:  4-1  last 5


Tennessee Volunteers vs Missouri Tigers Preview and Analysis


Tennessee is coming into this game with a 23-9 record overall and they are 5-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 11-7 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game off of a win against the Ole Miss Rebels in their last game. Josiah-Jordan James led the team in points in that game with 20 while Santiago Vescovi was next on the team with 15 points. Olivier Nkamhoua led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Josiah-Jordan James led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 47.1% from the field, 35.7% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 71.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 57.5 PPG against them. Tennessee has an ATS record of 17-15 this season and their O/U record is 12-19-1.


Missouri is coming into this game with a 23-8 record overall and they are 2-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 11-7 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Georgia Bulldogs, the LSU Tigers, and the Ole Miss Rebels in their last game. Kobe Brown and Noah Carter each led the team in points in that game with 17 while DeAndre Gholston was next on the team with 15 points. Nick Honor led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Kobe Brown led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 55.2% from the field, 30.4% from 3-point range, and 84.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 74.8 PPG against them. Missouri has an ATS record of 15-15-1 this season and their O/U record is 17-14.



Tennessee vs Missouri Prediction

The current betting odds have Missouri listed as a 6 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Missouri is entering this SEC Tournament as the higher seed in this game but Tennessee is ranked higher than Missouri is on the AP Poll and they have been ranked as one of the best teams in the country all season. Missouri did have a really good season though with their 23-8 record overall and they were not any worse than Tennessee in the SEC as they were both 11-7 in their conference games. Tennessee is 23-9 overall this season but they were not playing very well in their games towards the end of the regular season and they are going to be at a disadvantage here playing this game on a back-to-back as they had to play the previous night. This is the 1st round in the SEC Tournament for Missouri so they are going to be rested for this game but they also have a lot more momentum entering this tournament with 4 wins in a row now, finishing the regular season very hot. Missouri has the potential to pull off an upset win here against a Tennessee team that has been overrated all year, but even if they don't win this game Missouri will do enough to keep it close. The best way to place a bet here is on Missouri to cover the spread in this game. 

Tennessee Missouri Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 10, 2023 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Missouri 79 Tennessee 76.
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NCAAB Betting Trends


Tennessee Volunteers: 27-18 ATS after allowing 60 points or less. 24-8 UNDER after a game where they made 78% of their free throws or better. 30-19 UNDER after a game where they covered the spread.
Missouri Tigers: 3-11 ATS after a home game where both teams scored 75 points or more. 4-14 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 10-4 UNDER after a home game where both teams scored 75 points or more.

Key Injuries


Tennessee Volunteers:  Z. Zeigler (G) out for season - Knee. D. Jefferson (G) out for season - Redshirt.
Missouri Tigers:  K. Brown (G) Ques Fri - Illness. I. Mosley (G) Out indefinitely - Personal. R. DeGray III (F) Mid March - Knee.

Notable Quotes


“I think we need to play obviously, we’re still figuring out how to do it a little bit without Zakai (Zeigler). Turned the ball over, too many ridiculous plays and I didn’t think we came out with the aggression that we wanted with our defense. We picked it up and did a better job, you know, we wanted to get going.” - Rick Barnes after his team’s win against Ole Miss in their last game. 


“My expectation is simple and that’s to get better every day. Continue to challenge our staff, but also our student-athletes and making sure we’re prepared by April. And when I say April, obviously the championship game is April 1, April 3 in Houston, Texas.” - Dennis Gates on his team coming into this SEC Tournament.


Starting Lineups


Tennessee Volunteers
T. Key 
O. Nkamhoua 
J. Phillips 
U. Plavsic 
S. Vescovi

Missouri Tigers
K. Brown 
N. Carter 
D. Gholston 
D. Hodge 
N. Honor

Statistical Leaders


Tennessee Volunteers
PPG: S. Vescovi (12.7)
APG: Z. Zeigler (5.4)
Reb/G: O. Nkamhoua (5)

Missouri Tigers
PPG: K. Brown (15.9)
APG: N. Honor (2.9)
Reb/G: K. Brown (6.2)

Coaches:
Tennessee Volunteers: Rick Barnes (8th season)
Missouri Tigers: Dennis Gates (1st season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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