The Tennessee Volunteers finally look like they’re peaking at the right time, but a lack of healthy depth is sure to trip them up at some point. The Volunteers throttled the Florida Gators Saturday despite only having seven healthy scholarship players.
Now, the Missouri Tigers come to town. Find out our thoughts in this Missouri vs. Tennessee prediction. Can Rick Barnes’ squad bow up against yet another top 15 team or with Missouri’s high-powered offense crack the stout Tennessee defense?
Missouri vs. Tennessee Betting Preview
All Missouri vs. Tennessee odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
- Spread
Tennessee -9 - CSN Spread
Tennessee -5 - Moneyline
Tennessee -440, Missouri +340 - Over/Under
134.5 points - Game Time
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7 ET - Location
Thomas-Boling Arena | Knoxville, Tenn. - How To Watch
SEC Network
The Volunteers might be hitting their stride amidst a brutal stretch of games, as they’ve covered in three of four and four of six. They’re 9-4 against the spread as home favorites, including a 4-1 mark in SEC games.
The under has hit in six of their nine conference games and in six of seven against ranked teams.
Missouri is 5-0 against the spread against ranked teams and 3-2 as a road underdog. The under has hit in five of eight conference games involving the Tigers.
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CSN Power Rankings
CSN isn’t as high on the Volunteers, partially due to their lack of offensive firepower compared to the teams around them. Accordingly, the Volunteers, ranked 21st in our Power Rankings, aren’t favored by a huge amount over our No. 30 Missouri Tigers, just five points.
Prediction for Missouri vs. Tennessee
No Missouri vs. Tennessee prediction can start without a look at Tennessee’s injury situation.
Both Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic Jr. will be available against the Tigers, as neither was listed on Tennessee’s SEC mandated injury report on Tuesday. The question is whether they can be effective.
Rick Barnes stated on his call-in show that while Milicic practiced on Monday, Zeigler was “a little bit in and out.” While he’s expected to play, he might not be 100%. Can Missouri take advantage?
The Tigers have only played five true road games this season, going 2-4 in games away from Columbia. They did have their best road outing of the season in an 88-61 thrashing of Mississippi State in Starkville on Saturday.
I’m interested to see if the Tigers’ efficient offense can crack Tennessee’s top-ranked defense. The Tigers are ninth in scoring despite an average pace, but teams have really struggled to score on Tennessee, as the Volunteers have allowed 70 points just five times this season.
Missouri, while averaging over 83 points a game, are just 2-4 when they fail to reach the 80-point mark. It’s hard to see a path to 80 in this one.
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Tennessee’s defense is stifling and really puts teams out of their element. Accordingly, I don’t love the matchup for the Tigers here. Missouri scores by creating turnovers and getting to the free throw line, as they’re top five in both of those categories.
However, Tennessee excels at defending without fouling and limiting turnovers and transition opportunities. Coupled with Missouri’s struggles on the road, I like the Volunteers here.
Assuming Zeigler is healthy, Missouri’s offense could struggle to get into a rhythm. While Zeigler’s offensive numbers are down, he’s taking care of the basketball and with him at the point, Missouri could struggle to get out and run in transition.
If Tennessee’s shots start to fall, watch out. I foresee Missouri being frustrated on the road by the nation’s best defense, making both the under and the Volunteers against the spread strong bets on Wednesday.
Prediction: Tennessee 70, Missouri 58
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