Another super exciting weekend in college basketball is upon us, although 14 games from Saturday’s schedule have been canceled due to the COVID-19. Hereof, I bring you the best betting pick for the non-conference clash at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville where the Tennessee Volunteers welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats.
These two schools will take on each other for the eighth time in their history. The Bearcats have dominated the Vols, winning six of their previous seven encounters including the last season’s 78-66 victory as 2-point home underdogs.
Cincinnati hits the road for the first time this term
After a 67-55 victory over Lipscomb in the opener and a 77-69 defeat to Xavier as 3-point favorites, the Cincinnati Bearcats have defeated Furman 78-73 as 3.5-point home favorites last time out. They improved to 2-1 on the season, and the Bearcats covered just once in their first three contests that all came on the home court.
The Bearcats are No. 60 in the latest KenPom rankings. They’re averaging 104.9 points per 100 possessions (80th in the country) while yielding 91.5 in a return (46th), as Cincinnati continues to lean on its stout defense. Last season, the Bearcats were surrendering 94.7 points per 100 possessions (51st).
Only two Bearcats players are averaging points in double figures this term. Senior guard Keith Williams is the leading scorer on the team with 17.3 points per game, while junior guard David DeJulius tallies 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists a night.
Tennessee played just one game due to the COVID-19 crisis
The Tennessee Volunteers are 1-0 on the season, as they’ve had to cancel three games due to positive COVID-19 test results within their program. The Vols beat the Colorado Buffaloes 56-47 as 6-point home favorites this past Tuesday.
They shot only 35.8% from the field, but the Vols played terrific defense to control the game for all 40 minutes. The Buffaloes made just 33.3% of their field goals and 22.7% of their 3-pointers while committing a whopping 23 turnovers.
Senior forward John Fulkerson and sophomore guard Santiago Vescovi led the Vols with 11 points each, while Vescovi also had five assists. These two guys played very well last season and will continue to lead the way for Tennessee this term.
Trends:
Cincinnati:
- 2-9 ATS in the last 11 games overall
- 4-11 ATS in the last 15 games on the road
Tennessee:
- 3-1 ATS in the last four games overall
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The Winner Prediction
This should be a tight clash between the two defensive-minded teams that have struggled to cover lately. While the Bearcats have covered just twice in their last 11 outings and four times in their previous 15 showings on the road, the Vols are only 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games at home.
I feel much more comfortable with the totals in this one, and I suggest you go with the moneyline odds instead of risking with the spread. I would take the Vols to win straight up, as the Bearcats haven’t impressed me through their first three games of the season.
Pick: Take Tennessee -7
The Total:
The line on the totals will be set pretty low, but keep tracking the odds update on BetAmerica. Both Cincinnati and Tennessee rely on a tough defense, so I’m betting on the under, expecting to see a tough, physical battle.
Also, neither side loves to play at a fast pace, and I would be surprised if we get a high-scoring affair. The Vols posted just 69 possessions against Colorado, and they were averaging only 65.2 possessions per contest this past regular season (313th in the country).
The under is 15-4-1 in the Volunteers’ last 20 outings at home, and it is 10-6 in the Bearcats’ previous 16 showings on the road.
Pick: Go under 132