Kentucky vs. Tennessee Prediction
Unranked Kentucky travels to Knoxville to face #5 Tennessee at 12:00 PM ET Saturday afternoon on ESPN. Can the Volunteers cover the 12-point spread as home favorites?
Kentucky is 10-6 on the year with their best wins coming over LSU and Michigan. Their worst losses came against Missouri and South Carolina. The Wildcats are 4-12 against the spread this season.
Tennessee is 14-2 this season with their best wins coming over Kansas and Maryland. Their only losses came against Colorado and Arizona. The Volunteers are 9-7 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
609 Kentucky Wildcats (+12) vs. 610 Tennessee Volunteers (-12); O/U 131.5
12:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 14, 2023
Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, TN
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Wildcats in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 52% of public bets are on Kentucky +12. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Kentucky Game Notes
Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin missed the Wildcats’ last game with a shoulder injury, and it’s unknown if he’ll be available for Saturday’s game against Tennessee. Toppin is averaging 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 26.9 minutes per contest for Kentucky this year.
One of Kentucky’s most important players is senior guard Antonio Reeves. The 6’5” Chicago native is averaging 11.8 points per game for the Wildcats this year while shooting a stellar 40.4% from beyond the arc. Reeves has scored at least 13 points in back-to-back contests and he may need to reach that number again for Kentucky to cover on Saturday.
Tennessee Game Notes
Tennessee senior guard Santiago Vescovi is one of the Volunteers’ most versatile players. The 6’3” Uruguayan national is filling up the stat sheet this season, posting 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game for Tennessee this year. What’s more, Vescovi leads the Volunteers with 2.8 made three-pointers per game.
Tennessee’s second-leading scorer is Olivier Nkamhoua. The 6’9” senior forward from Helsinki, Finland is averaging 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 59.1% from the field this season. Tennessee will likely need standout production from their top two scorers if they’re going to beat Kentucky soundly this weekend.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee CBB Betting Trends
Kentucky is 7-18-3 ATS in their last 28 road games.
Kentucky is 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS loss.
Tennessee is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games.
Tennessee is 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games following an ATS loss.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee CBB Prediction:
Kentucky is a team that’s reeling. The Wildcats got smoked by Alabama last weekend 78-52, then lost at home to South Carolina on Tuesday 71-68. Kentucky was favored by 20 points in their game against South Carolina. What’s more, the Wildcats’ third-leading scorer, Cason Wallace, is questionable for Saturday’s contest with a back injury.
Tennessee on the other hand is second in the country with an average scoring margin of +22.1 points per game. The Volunteers have won their last 4 conference games by an average of 28.7 points. I think Tennessee’s balanced scoring attack is too much for a struggling Kentucky team to deal with. I’ll lay the points with the Vols at home.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS -12
