Tennessee vs Georgia Odds, Pick
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 145.5 -115o / -105u | -315 |
| Georgia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 145.5 -115o / -105u | +250 |
Conference play continues in the SEC as the Tennessee Volunteers play the upstart Georgia Bulldogs in Athens on the second leg of a two-game road trip.
Tennessee suffered its first loss since November last time out, dropping a road game to Mississippi State, 77-72. The Vols sit a game behind Georgia in the SEC standings as the Bulldogs are off to a surprising 2-0 start in conference play.
Georgia has won 10 straight games entering this contest, but none have come against top 50 opponents. Their best two wins in that span were a road win against Florida State and a home win against Arkansas. Mike White's squad has a good defense, as the Bulldogs rank 41st nationally in defensive efficiency. They are 3-3 against top 100 opponents, and this is their first game against a top 25 team.
On the other hand, Tennessee has played one of the most demanding schedules in college basketball. The Volunteers boast the second-ranked defense in the sport. They have two great wins, one at Wisconsin and one at home against Illinois. They lost three straight games at the end of November, and they'll look to bounce back and avoid beginning another losing streak on Saturday.
Tennessee Volunteers
For Tennessee, it all starts on the defensive end.
The Vols are elite across the board, ranking near the top in nearly every defensive metric, including sixth in eFG% allowed, 14th in 2-point shooting allowed, and 34th in 3-point shooting allowed. It's impossible to get easy shots against Rick Barnes' crew.
But Tennessee has taken steps on the offensive side as well. The Vols rank 23rd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, giving Rick Barnes his highest-rated offense since 2019. Dalton Knecht is the superstar, a three-level scorer who can get you 25 points any given night.
The Tennessee offense shoots plenty of 3s but doesn't always make them. 42% of the Vols shots come from beyond the arc, but they only make 33% of their attempts. They shot just 27% from deep in their most recent loss at Mississippi State as a team. This is their second consecutive road game, and it will be interesting to see how they respond.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia holds the nation's fourth-longest active win streak, with 10 consecutive wins. The Bulldogs' defense has improved as the season has progressed, leading them to a share of first place in the SEC through two games.
Georgia is ranked 41st nationally in defensive efficiency, holding opponents to 29% shooting from behind the arc. The Dawgs are nearly as good inside, holding opposing offenses to just 46% shooting from two-point range.
Noah Thomasson has been Georgia's most consistent offensive player, scoring in double figures in 10 of their 15 games. Against the loaded Tennessee defense, Thomasson will need to be at his best for the Bulldogs to have a chance.
Tennessee vs. Georgia
Betting Pick & Prediction
With two great defenses matching up, I'm siding with the home team.
Georgia has been unstoppable over the last five weeks, and it's a tough schedule spot for Tennessee — a second consecutive road game.
Pick: Georgia +7
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