VW'S BLANK CHECK WINNER # 25 OF 39: CBB CRUSH
- Handicapper
- Vegas Writer
- League
- NCAAB
- Competition
- Florida Atlantic vs Tennessee
- Time
- 03/23/2023 09:35 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Tennessee -5.5 (-110)
(Caesars)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- The Owls from Florida Atlantic are as hot as any team in the country at the moment but will have their hands full when they meet up with the tough Tennessee Volunteers in the East Region’s quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden tonight.
Though it puts up a solid 71.9 points per game on average, Tennessee boasts an aggressive approach to its defensive brand of basketball, proven by the fourth-ranked 57.5 ppg. it's allowing opponents on the year, while also ranking first in both field-goal percentage defense (36.4%) and 3-point defense (25.5%).
The Volunteers have won two straight and three of their last four this postseason, falling only to Missouri in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, and are posting an improved 38% field-goal percentage over their last five outings.
Florida-Atlantic earned its reputation while posting a 33-3 overall record, and plowing through its Conference-USA rivals en route to capturing the league title. It enters this contest a winner of nine straight, most of which was against C-USA foes, and has been averaging a stellar 79.3 ppg (26th), even knocking down 37.8% of its shots from 3-point territory (22nd). However, you have to take into account that these numbers were accomplished against Conference-USA opposition, not the gauntlet of teams Tennessee faced in the SEC.
The Owls also rank 104th in Strength of Schedule according to TeamRankings.com, while Tennessee ranks 11th.
The Volunteers were ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation earlier in the season, so they know what it's like to play with a target on their back, and they’ll use their SEC toughness and in-your-face defense to secure this win while covering the points they’re laying in the process.
