Kentucky vs Tennessee Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/18/23
Tennessee Volunteers (20-6) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (17-9)
February 18, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Kentucky Wildcats +2.5 / Tennessee Volunteers -2.5 ; Over/Under: 134
(Get latest betting odds)
The Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from Rupp Arena. Tennessee is coming off a Wednesday matchup versus Alabama. In that one the Volunteers bagged a nine-point upset win. As for Kentucky, they played Mississippi State in their Wednesday matchup. The Wildcats ended up powering out a three-point victory there. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee managed to kick off the season on a solid pace, going 15-3 over their first 18 games. The Volunteers hit a 4-3 stretch over the next seven, beating LSU, Georgia, Texas and Auburn with losses to Florida, Vanderbilt and Missouri otherwise.
On Wednesday versus Alabama, Tennessee had a 29-29 tie in the locker room. The Volunteers posted a 39-30 second-half run and won it in upset fashion 68-59. Both Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi scored a team-high 15 points each.
Kentucky Wildcats
Over on the Kentucky side, they managed a 12-6 run through their first 18 games. The Wildcats would likewise go 4-3 over the next seven, beating Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Florida with losses to Kansas, Arkansas and Georgia.
Matched up against Mississippi State on Wednesday, the Wildcats held a slim 36-35 advantage going into the second half. Kentucky hit a 35-33 run from there and won 71-68. Oscar Tshiebwe doubled up on 18 points and 11 rebounds in the victory.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stick with Tennessee here. The Volunteers are fresh off their epic Wednesday win versus Alabama, despite a tepid 36.5 shooting percentage from the floor. Tennessee bounced back well from consecutive losses and should post another good effort here if they can avoid the proverbial big-win hangover. The Volunteers didn’t play well the last time these teams got together at Thompson-Boling arena on January 14, getting out-rebounded 43-23 and shooting a dismal 3-of-21 from 3-point range (14.3 percent). That said, I still think Tennessee can bang out the revenge cover if they play well. Should be a pretty epic matchup regardless. Don’t miss this one.
