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Tennessee basketball preview at Ole Miss: Live stream, game time and prediction

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 06: Tennessee Volunteers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 6, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 76-65. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 06: Tennessee Volunteers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 6, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 76-65. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball travels to play Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon. Here is the preview of the UT Volunteers and the Rebels.

With only three games left in the season, No. 19 Tennessee basketball (20-7, 10-5 SEC) will travel to Oxford, Miss. to take on the Ole Miss Rebels (12-16, 5-10 SEC) in the first of a two-game Mississippi road trip. This will be Ole Miss’s second game without former head coach Andy Kennedy as he stepped down last week.

The Vols are coming off a 62-57 win against the Florida Gators, which gave them their 20th win of the season. The win marks the first time achieving the 20-win mark in the regular season since the 2009-10 season.

In the first matchup between the Vols and Rebels on February 3, Lamonte Turner torched the Rebels with 5-6 from the 3-point line with 17 points in route to a 94-61 win. The Ole Miss game fell in the six-game winning streak and was a part of the three games in a row where Tennessee beat opponents by 20 points or more.

BRACKET UPDATE: In the latest bracketology, from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Tennessee basketball is a four seed in the East region playing Buffalo. In the CBS Sports projection from Jerry Palm, Tennessee is a three seed in the East region playing Rider.

As for Ole Miss (12-16, 5-10 SEC), they are getting ready to play their second game without former head coach Andy Kennedy. Kennedy was the head coach of the Rebels for 12 seasons and is the winningest basketball coach in program history with a record of 245-156.

No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers at Ole Miss Rebels
When: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1:00 p.m. E.T.
Where: The Pavilion at Ole Miss; Oxford, Mississippi
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Line: Tennessee -4
Over/Under: 145

VIEW OF THE VOLS

Record: 20-7, 10-5 SEC
Last 5: 3-2
Last 10: 8-2

The Vols are coming off a 62-57 win over the Florida Gators on Wednesday night. Grant Williams responded to his head coaches’ criticism as he led the team by scoring 23 points and six rebounds.

Tennessee basketball also received a massive performance from Admiral Schofield as he poured in 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Williams got in foul trouble for a period of time in the second half where Schofield rose up and led the team.

One of the weaknesses of the team this season is the inconsistent guard play which has plagued the Vols in the back-to-back road losses. However, Jordan Bowden is quietly flying under the radar with his recent performances. In the past six games, he has had four games scoring in double digits.

Another road game that the Vols should win but they can’t take the Rebels lightly. Any game on the road this season in the SEC is a test, and this is one the Vols need to pass. Comfortably in the NCAA Tournament, a regretful loss could significantly affect seeding.

VIEW OF THE REBELS

Record: 12-16, 5-10 SEC
Last 5: 1-4
Last 10: 2-8

This is uncharted territory for Ole Miss. They might not always find themselves at the top of the conference, but they haven’t been this sorry since the year before Andy Kennedy took over in Oxford.

The Rebels won their first game under interim coach Tony Madlock on Saturday beating Missouri on the road. Saturday will be the first home game with the new coach calling the plays, but I would expect the Rebels to be ready to play and to play hard.

Ole Miss likes to push the ball and score points. The score in the first matchup with the Vols is a little misleading. It was a 36-32 early in the second half before Tennessee began to pull away.

Junior guard, Terence Davis had a fabulous game against Missouri. In 32 minutes of action, he scored 19 points, ripped four steals, had two blocks, and added six rebounds. And, he shot 60% from the 3-point line.

PREDICTION

Despite losing two road games in a row, this is one the Vols should easily handle. If they don’t, you’ll see the panic button repeatedly being pressed in Knoxville. Mathematically, Tennessee basketball still has a chance at a regular season SEC Title, but they have to win and hope for the first place Auburn Tigers to slip up. I like the Vols in this one 74-61.

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