The No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (12-4, 3-2 SEC) visit Missouri to take on the Tigers (12-5, 2-2 SEC) in what should be a high-scoring game. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 142.5 points with Missouri opening as a 1-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Missouri Tigers ATS Preview
The Volunteers defeated the Texas A&M Aggies in their last outing, 75-62. With 12 points and eight rebounds, Tennessee’s Admiral Schofield put together a solid outing. Tennessee played a nearly perfect game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.328 (above their season average of 0.293) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.8 (above their season average of 35.2). Texas A&M recorded marks of 0.111 and 20.0, respectively, for those same stats.
The last time the Tigers played, they were defeated by the Arkansas Razorbacks, 65-63. Kassius Robertson was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Arkansas had a free throw rate of 0.280 (above their season average of 0.244). Missouri, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.530 vs. 0.510).
This showdown figures to be a shootout as a pair of the NCAA’s best offenses clash. Missouri currently ranks 29th with 115.6 points per 100 possessions and Tennessee is 60th (112.6).
Of Tennessee’s 13 games with betting action, seven have finished over the projected point total, while 8 of Missouri’s 15 games have finished under the O/U total. Both teams have outstanding straight up (SU) records (12-4 for Tennessee; 12-5 for Missouri), but the Volunteers hold a slight advantage against the spread (ATS). Tennessee is 9-5 ATS, while the Tigers are 9-7.
Schofield has been on fire over the last five games for Tennessee, averaging 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Volunteers won the lone contest played against each other last season, 90-70. The Volunteers played a flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.8 and an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3. The Tigers recorded marks of 18.1 and 22.9, respectively, for those same stats.
Tennessee Volunteers at Missouri Tigers Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Missouri, ATS Winner – Missouri, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Tigers rank 70th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while the Volunteers rank 89th in three pointers allowed per game (20.8).
- Tennessee ranks 83rd in steals per game (6.8) while Missouri ranks 93rd in steals allowed per game (6.1).
- On the road, Tennessee is 6-1 ATS with 5 overs and 2 unders.
- Missouri is 4-4 ATS at home with 4 unders and 3 overs.
- Missouri ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (31.0) while Tennessee ranks 134th (34.9).
- The Volunteers rank 24th in assists per game (17.4) while the Tigers rank 90th (14.9).
- Tennessee averages 5.3 blocks per game, which ranks 24th in the nation. Missouri ranks 67th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
Betting Trends:
- Missouri is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Tennessee is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Tigers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 10.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 84.0 points per game (4.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 80.0 points per game (9.8 above their season average).
