Yet another ranked matchup in the SEC will take place Tuesday night when the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats host the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena. The Volunteers enter having won three straight games, vaulting themselves into fifth place in the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have sputtered, losing four of six and placing them in a tie for eighth place.
Our Tennessee vs. Kentucky prediction looks at the spread, total, and money line in a crucial SEC matchup. Can Kentucky get back on track, beginning their climb up the SEC standings or will Tennessee add to its three-game winning streak? Find out below.
Tennessee vs. Kentucky Betting Preview
All Tennessee vs. Kentucky odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
- Spread
Tennessee -3 - CSN Spread
Tennessee -4.5 - Moneyline
Tennessee -130, Kentucky +110 - Over/Under
149.5 points - Game Time
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7:00 p.m. ET - Location
Rupp Arena | Lexington, KY - How To Watch
ESPN
Tennessee vs. Kentucky CSN Power Rankings
Our metrics system has Tennessee favored by -4.5, slightly more than Vegas has at -3. Our power rankings love Kentucky’s offensive ability come March, putting them in the No. 10 spot. The Volunteers, despite being ranked in the top-5 in the AP Poll rankings, hold the No. 21 spot.
The only downside for Kentucky? It’s not tournament time yet, where their offense can catch teams off guard with its fast-paced nature. The Volunteers know what to do against it, why we have the line at -4.5, despite being on the road.
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Prediction for Tennessee vs. Kentucky
This will be the teams’ second matchup of the season, the first coming just two weeks ago. The Wildcats went into Knoxville and came away with a 78-73 win led by guard Koby Brea’s 18 points but aided by four other double-digit scorers.
Kentucky was able to dictate the pace of the game, with a total of 151 points being put on the board.
The outcome of five double-digit scorers for the Wildcats isn’t uncommon; in fact, six players average double-figure scoring on the season. They’re an extremely balanced team, with different leaders in points, rebounds, and assists.
Guard Otega Oweh heads the scoring punch, followed closely behind by fellow guard Jaxson Robinson, who is out injured for the game. Former San Diego State Aztec Lamont Butler averages a team-leading 4.7 a assists per game, while big man Amari Williams averages a near double-double of 10.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
It’s easy to forget about Brea, who shoots a blistering 45.1% from the three-point line — if he gets it going, he can swing a game in an instant.
Tennessee — ranked No. 5 in the nation — is clearly no slouch either. The Volunteers likely be coming into this game with added motivation after losing on their home floor to these Wildcats.
Since the loss, they’ve won three consecutive games, pulling closer to the top of the standings.
Point guard Zakai Ziegler is the catalyst for the Volunteers. While he’s the second-leading scorer at 12.9 points per game, it’s what he does sharing the ball and defensively that sticks out the most. His 7.5 assists per game are good for fourth in the nation, while his defensive efforts were recognized last season as he was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Combo guard Chaz Lanier provides the scoring punch for Tennessee, putting in 17.7 points per game on solid efficiency. Forward Igor Milicic Jr. is a glue-guy; he adds double-digit scoring, leads the team in rebounds, is second in assists, and is a solid team defender.
Overall, the Volunteers are an excellent defensive team. It’s their second time matching up against the Wildcats, and I expect them to control the pace of the game this time around. That means the score will likely be in the 60’s and low 70’s — not close to the 80’s. Take the under of 149.5.
If that’s how the game goes, Kentucky will be extremely uncomfortable. They’re not used to being in tight, low-scoring games. Tennessee, coming into Lexington looking for revenge, will come out with a win. Instead of the -3, take the money line of -130. This one could come down to the wire — don’t get picky, just take the solid value of a Volunteers W.
Picks: Under 149.5 points, Tennessee ML (-130)
Prediction: Tennessee 68, Kentucky 67
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