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Tennessee basketball vs. LSU: Live stream, broadcast info, line, odds, prediction

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 12, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Exactly two weeks after a 12-point road loss to the LSU Tigers on the road, Tennessee basketball is ready for a rematch. Rick Barnes’ Vols welcome Will Wade and co. to Rocky Top Saturday in another top 25 showdown on their schedule.

Ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll and No. 25 in the Coaches Poll, UT is coming off a 68-60 win at the Vanderbilt Commodores this past Tuesday, a game in which they scored the final eight points with a minute left. That followed their 107-79 embarrassment at the Kentucky Wildcats last Saturday.

Meanwhile, LSU comes in ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll, but they have lost two straight, most recently 70-67 this past Wednesday at the Alabama Crimson Tide. Here is all the information you need for Tennessee basketball’s matchup.

Thompson-Boling Arena. Saturday, Jan. 22. 534. Knoxville, Tenn.. 529. 12-5 (3-3). 6 p.m. ET. 15-3 (3-3)

Broadcast info

Gambling odds according to WynnBET

  • Line: Tennessee -5.5
  • Over/Under: 132.5
  • Moneyline: Tennessee -235; LSU +185

Before these past two losses, LSU looked like the best team in the SEC, as their only loss through their first 16 games was on the road against the Auburn Tigers. Then, last Saturday, they suffered a shocking loss at home to the Arkansas Razorbacks, a game where they scored just two points in the final nine minutes.

The Vols, on the other hand, didn’t just have to fight off Vandy Tuesday. They did it without Josiah-Jordan James for most of the game, as he was knocked out in the first four minutes. Barnes said he’d be a game-time decision for this one.

In their last matchup against each other, UT fought back from a 19-point deficit with 12 minutes to go and cut it to five with three minutes left. They then got the ball back with two and a half minutes left and had a chance to cut it to a one-score game, but Kennedy Chandler missed a layup, and LSU finished on an 8-1 run.

Prediction

With this game in Knoxville and LSU reeling, all signs point to the Vols winning. However, there’s a reason Barnes has lost four straight to Wade, dating back to the 2019 heartbreaker in Baton Rouge that cost them the regular season SEC Championship. Barnes’ teams just can’t handle the tempo Wade runs.

There would still be a chance for UT to win here, but with their best perimeter defender and fast-break off-ball guard in James questionable, it’s hard to see them handling LSU’s tempo any better this time around. They haven’t proven they can yet.

Next. 10 greatest made shots in Vol basketball history. dark

As a result, take the LSU +5.5, and they’ll probably win outright since Tennessee basketball won’t be able to guard them on the perimeter. That’s why you should also take the Over 132.5. The score will look something like this: LSU 75 Tennessee 72.

Make your pick now on WynnBET.

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