Tennessee basketball: 3 bold predictions for Vols vs. Missouri Tigers

Tennessee basketball begins a three-game homestand against the Missouri Tigers on Tuesday night. Here are three bold predictions for the game.

Former Tennessee basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin makes his return to Thompson-Boling Arena to take on the No.1 ranked Volunteers. Tennessee looks to extend their program-record win streak to 17 games and stretch their home win streak to 21 games.

Our three bold predictions for the Texas A&M game were Schofield would score at least 20 points, he scored 14 on 7-for-14 from the floor, including 0-for-2 from the three-point line.

We predicted that Kyle Alexander would show out in a double-double performance, but the big man couldn’t get going. Alexander finished the game scoring four points while grabbing eight rebounds.

Finally, we said Tennessee would win by 25 points, and they won by 17. However, this is a new game, and with that, we have three more bold predictions. We start with bench scoring.

1. The rest of the bench players will outscore Jordan Bowden

One of the weaknesses we’ve pointed out recently is the lack of bench scoring if Lamonte Turner or Jordan Bowden is in the starting lineup. Against the Aggies Bowden was the only player to scored off the bench. He finished with 16 points on 7-for-13 from the floor, including 2-for-7 from the three-point line.

Jon Fulkerson, Derrick Walker, Yves Pons, and Jalen Johnson all saw action but failed to score.

However, for our first bold prediction, the bench will outscore Bowden. It won’t be easy though since SEC play started Bowden has averaged 16 points per game.

2. Grant Williams scores 30 points

Williams has scored in double figures every single game this season except in the last matchup against Missouri. In 22 minutes of action, the Tigers held Williams to four points on 1-for-8 from the floor, including 0-for-2 from deep. He also fouled out of the game.

In Tuesday’s night game, Williams will score at least 30 points and shoot near percent from the floor. I’ll go out of a limb and predict Williams will hit his first three-point jumper since the Florida game.

3. Jordan Bone won’t commit a single turnover

Jordan Bone is playing better than any other point guard in the nation. His offensive efficiency is one of the best in the SEC, and since conference play started, he is shooting 50 percent from the three-point line.

In the past four games, Bone has committed nine turnovers to 31 assists. He’s only finished two games this season with zero turnovers which were against Vanderbilt and Missouri. He does it again tonight with at least seven assists.