The #4 Tennessee Volunteers (22-6, 12-3) travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the #14 Alabama Crimson Tide (20-8, 12-3) in a primetime matchup. The two squads currently share first place in the SEC, so this contest could go a long way towards determining who wins the conference regular-season title. Additionally, there are major March Madness implications. A Tennessee win could help it secure a first-seed slot in the tournament.
Both teams are riding high coming off of solid victories on Wednesday. The Volunteers beat #11 Auburn 92-84, with star guard Dalton Knecht dropping 39 points. Meanwhile, Alabama took care of Ole Miss on the road 103-88, putting up a 40.5-percent clip from long range.
#4 Tennessee Volunteers at #14 Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +3 (-110) | O171 (-112) | +136 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | -3 (-110) | U171 (-108) | -162 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Match Details
Fixture: #4 Tennessee Volunteers at #14 Alabama Crimson Tide
Date/Time: Saturday, March 2nd; 8:00 pm EST; ESPN
Venue: Coleman Coliseum; Tuscaloosa, AL
Team Stats:
Tennessee Volunteers
PPG: 80.7
FG%: 45.8
3-Point FG%: 34.9%
FT%: 74.7%
Rebounds: 39
Assists: 17.1
Turnovers: 10.5
PPG Allowed: 67.2
Steals: 8
Blocks: 4.8
Fouls: 17.5
Alabama Crimson Tide
PPG: 91.5
FG%: 48.4%
3-Point FG%: 38.1%
FT%: 79.1%
Rebounds: 39.4
Assists: 16.4
Turnovers: 12.1
PPG Allowed: 79.2
Steals: 7.5
Blocks: 4.2
Fouls: 19.2
Projected Starting Lineups
Tennessee Volunteers
G – Zakai Zeigler (11.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.9 apg, 2 spg)
G – Santiago Vescovi (7.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1 spg)
F – Dalton Knecht (20.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg)
F – Josiah Jordan-James (8.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg)
C – Jonas Aidoo (12.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1 apg, 1.9 bpg)
Alabama Crimson Tide
PG – Aaron Estrada (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg)
G – Rylan Griffen (11.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2 apg)
G – Mark Sears (20.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.8 spg)
F – Grant Nelson (12.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.6 bpg)
F – Jarin Stevenson (5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg)
Tennessee at Alabama Prediction
Alabama is 13-1 at home this season, with the only loss being to Clemson back in November. Additionally, the Tide are leading the country in scoring, averaging 95.4 points per game at home. However, Tennessee did hold them to their lowest point total of the year back in January, dominating them 91-71. Alabama is susceptible to coughing the ball up, ranking 127th in turnover percentage. This could be another good day for Zeigler, who’s fourth in the SEC in steals.
While the Tide are better offensively as a whole, it’s hard to imagine them being able to contain Knecht. The fifth-year senior has been on an absolute tear, shooting at least 50-percent from the field in four of his last five games. Alabama ranks 334th in scoring defense, so don’t be surprised if Knecht has another explosive outing as he continues to build his case to win SEC Player of the Year.
However, Sears is hot on his tail. The senior guard has scored at least 20 points in 10 of his last 11 contests. and is shooting 51.1-percent on the year. Take the over, as both of these players should be able to lead their teams to quality offensive outings.
As for the outcome, if anyone could snap the Tide’s nine-game home win streak, it’s the Vols. They rank 36th in points scored and 52nd in points allowed, showing they can perform at a solid level on both ends. Mix in Knecht’s dominance and their ability to force turnovers (13.36 per game, 74th-ranked), and this is a good spot to pick the underdog outright.
Final Pick
Tennessee Volunteers Moneyline and Over 171
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