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Tennessee basketball vs. Kentucky: 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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In a crucial top 25 SEC matchup, Tennessee basketball faces its toughest test yet amidst its seven-game conference winning streak. The Vols play the first of two straight games against the two teams fighting with them for the second spot in league play.

Rick Barnes’ team, ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll, will host the Kentucky Wildcats Tuesday night in a rematch. Coming off a 73-64 win at home over the Vanderbilt Commodores last Saturday, UT will be looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of UK.

John Calipari’s team, ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll and No. 3 in the Coaches Poll, comes in on a six-game winning streak. They most recently beat the Florida Gators 78-57 on Saturday and beat the Vols 107-79 in their first matchup in Lexington, Ky., back in January. Here’s all the information you need for Tennessee basketball’s huge showdown.

21-4 (10-2). Tuesday, Feb. 15. 534. Knoxville, Tenn.. 9 p.m. ET. 528. Thompson-Boling Arena. 18-6 (9-3)

Broadcast info

Gambling odds according to WynnBET

  • Line: Tennessee -2
  • Over/Under: 141
  • Moneyline: Tennessee -125; Kentucky +105

Ever since Barnes took over on Rocky Top, the Vols have beaten Kentucky at least once every year. This Kentucky team is more dangerous than almost any of those other teams, though. The ‘Cats’ only losses are all on the road. They also have impressive wins on the road, most notably against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Simply put, this team is as good as any team Calipari has coached. In their last matchup with the Vols, TyTy Washington Jr. and Sahvir Wheeler combined to shoot 18-of-23 from the field en route to 49 points. As a team, they shot 11-of-18 from three, with Kellen Grady going 4-of-7 from outside en route to 16 points.

Although that was a bad loss for UT, it seemed to whip them into shape. They haven’t lost an SEC game since then, and their only loss at all the past eight games was by one point on the road against the Texas Longhorns due to a foul call that wasn’t a foul at the end.

Prediction

Despite Kentucky being on a roll and proving it’s dangerous on the road with that win at Kansas, Tennessee basketball is starting to play to Barnes’ identity at just the right time. They were a bit sluggish on Saturday looking ahead to this game. Now, there’s nothing to look ahead of.

Next. Vol basketball's all-time depth chart. dark

UT is undefeated at home for a reason, and that’ll continue here. Take Tennessee -2, although that is a close line, and because of the tempo and the Vols’ three-point shooting, take the Over 141 as well. The score will look something like this: Tennessee 75 Kentucky 70.

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