SEC foes will collide when the Ole Miss Rebels (12-16, 5-10 SEC) challenge the No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers (20-7, 10-5 SEC) at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
Tennessee Volunteers at Ole Miss Rebels Free Preview
The last time the Volunteers played, they beat the Florida Gators, 62-57. Grant Williams was the games leading scorer with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting. The Volunteers made 13 of their 15 free throws (86.7 percent) and held the Gators to an effective field goal percentage of 0.400 (below their season average of 0.508).
The Rebels will look to keep it rolling after barely hanging on to beat the Missouri Tigers in their last contest, 90-87. Ole Miss Terence Davis led the way, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds. Ole Miss 11.5 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Missouri, who had a mark of 22.0. The Rebels mark was better than their season average of 14.0, while the Tigers was above their season average of 18.7.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball protection could play a significant role in this meeting. Ole Miss commits the 35th-fewest miscues in the nation (turnover percentage of 16.3 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Tennessee forces the 55th-most (opponents turnover percentage of 21.3 percent). Also, the Volunteers 37th-ranked defense (opponents effective field goal percentage of 0.472) will square off against the Rebels 276th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.491).
These teams have already met once this season. The Volunteers won 94-61. The Volunteers played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 7.9 and a free throw rate of 0.242. For those same stats, the Rebels were 20.8 and 0.133, respectively. Admiral Schofield recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Tennessee Volunteers at Ole Miss Rebels Prediction
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Ole Miss, ATS Winner – Ole Miss, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Volunteers average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 28th in the nation. The Rebels rank 111th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Tennessee averages 16.0 assists per game, which ranks 37th in the nation. Ole Miss ranks 262nd in assists allowed per game (16.3).
- The Volunteers rank 78th in three pointers allowed per game (20.2) while the Rebels rank 238th (24.2).
- Tennessee ranks 115th in rebounds per game (36.1) while Ole Miss ranks 266th in rebounds allowed per game (38.2).
Betting Trends:
- The Rebels average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 1.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 61.0 points per game (13.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.8 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
