Tennessee basketball: Vols preview, live stream, prediction vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee basketball faces a red-hot South Carolina team that is coming off a win against Kentucky. Here is the preview of the UT Volunteers and the USC Gamecocks.
Tennessee basketball (12-5, 3-3) travels to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (12-6, 3-3) Saturday evening. This will be The Vols’ second road game in a row.
This game is huge when it comes to SEC, and NCAA hopes for the Vols. Tennessee still ranked in the top 25, for now, can’t drop two in a row. As for South Carolina, it appears they are heading in the right direction winning their last 3 of 4 games.
Both teams rank in the Top 50 of RPI, Tennessee 16 and South Carolina 49. This game could be a significant win on an NCAA Tournament resume come March. Before we preview both teams and give our prediction, here is the information you need for Saturday evening’s game.
No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina
When: Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. E.T.
Where: Colonial Life Arena; Columbia, SC
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Line: Tennessee -3.5
Over/Under: 139.5
TENNESSEE PREVIEW
Tennessee basketball comes into the game trying to recover from a mentally draining lost to the Missouri Tigers. The Vols came back in the second half from a 10-point deficit but ultimately couldn’t overcome the lousy shooting performance and was outrebounded late in the game. So, where does Tennessee turn to get back on track?
The two starting guards, Jordan Bone and Jordan Bowden, have to show up. Against Missouri, they combined for three points, four assists, and 1-13 shooting. Tennessee is going to need more production from them in what is going to be another harsh environment.
Kyle Alexander is becoming a man right in front of our eyes. In the past two games, he is 11-12 from the field. The past two games also mark the first time this season Alexander has scored double digits two games in a row. That’s not all; he also has six blocks in the past two games, which gives him a total of 30 for the season to rank him 6th in the SEC standings.
What is a preview without mentioning Admiral Schofield? Schofield was consistent for the Vols again on Wednesday night. He scored 11 points, had two steals, and five rebounds. Other than Grant Williams, Scholfield has been Tennessee’s most consistent player all year. He has scored in double digits in every game but one this season.
SOUTH CAROLINA PREVIEW
After a slow start to SEC play (1-3), South Carolina has won two in a row with wins over Georgia on the road and Kentucky. That win marks the first time since 2013-2014 the Gamecocks have beat Kentucky.
Junior guard, Chris Silva leads the Gamecocks. He is a double-double threat every game scoring 14.9 points per game and 7.9 rebounds. He had a monster game against the Wildcats putting up 27 points and eight rebounds. The big man is also not a reliable to have at the free throw line shooting 75% on the year. Silva has progressed in every year under Frank Martin, look for him to have a big game against the Vols.
WATER-COOLER CHAT
Admiral Schofield is just 6 points shy of surpassing his scoring output from last season. He currently has 225 points on the season.
South Carolina has won the past three games in the series.
Rick Barnes is 1-3 at Tennessee vs. Frank Martin at South Carolina.
Last two games in Columbia, Tennessee is 0-2 and has been outscored 166-113.
PREDICTION
It’s no secret the SEC as a whole is much better this year. The league has ten teams ranked top 50 of RPI. Teams will consider themselves fortunate for winning SEC games on the road. I am not a homer even though I love Tennessee, but I can’t find it in myself to pick the Gamecocks. I think Barnes will have the Vols ready to play and get a close win.