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Tennessee basketball vs. No. 3/4 Auburn: 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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Coming off a dominant road win over Cuonzo Martin and the Missouri Tigers earlier this week, Tennessee basketball has its second straight game against a former head coach. This time, the Vols are playing a crucial SEC matchup against a top five foe that will have major implications.

Rick Barnes’ team, ranked No. 17 in both polls, hosts Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers Saturday afternoon. Rocky Top is two games behind Auburn in the SEC standings, but a win in this game would put them in the running for the SEC Regular Season Championship.

Auburn, ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll, suffered an upset loss last week at the Florida Gators but is coming off a 77-64 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. Here is all the information you need for Tennessee basketball’s matchup.

Saturday, Feb. 26. 20-7 (11-4). 534. Knoxville, Tenn.. 525. Thompson-Boling Arena. 4 p.m. ET. 25-3 (13-2)

Broadcast information

Gambling odds according to WynnBET

  • Line: Tennessee -3
  • Over/Under: 140.5
  • Moneyline: Tennessee -150; Auburn +125

UT’s firing of Pearl over a decade ago has proved itself to be haunting numerous times. There was the tumultuous three-year period of Martin in the immediate aftermath. However, it took an even more dramatic turn when Pearl took over at Auburn and the program arrived under him three years later.

Since the first season Auburn made the NCAA Tournament under Pearl, 2017-2018, they haven’t lost to the Vols. In fact, they beat the Vols that year which cost Barnes’ team the SEC Regular Season Championship outright.

One year later, Auburn beat the Vols on the final day of the regular season to cost them a share of the SEC Regular Season Championship. A week after that, they beat the Vols in the SEC Tournament Championship game.

In 2019-2020, UT lost to Auburn on the last day of the regular season again, which would’ve cost it a bid to the NCAA Tournament had COVID not shut everything down a week later. Auburn actually swept them that season.

Even last year, with the Vols an NCAA Tournament team and Auburn suffering through a losing record while being on a postseason ban, they beat the Vols 77-72. Simply put, Tennessee basketball has pride to play for in addition to a chance at a huge victory and to enter the SEC race.

Prediction

Although the Vols are on a six-game losing streak to Auburn and haven’t beaten them since 2017, this is a different team. They haven’t lost at home all year, and given the fact that Auburn is a week removed from a loss at Florida, they clearly have some issues.

Rocky Top’s defense should be the difference. They can get out and run with Auburn’s tempo, and honestly, with Olivier Nkamhoua out, Tennessee basketball will be forced to play small. That might actually give them the tempo edge that usually favors Pearl in this matchup.

Taking these things into account, the Vols will pull one out in a close one. The difference will be that the Vols shoot the three slightly better at home. They’ve won every home game this year by at least four points and every SEC home game by at least six points.

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

As a result, take Tennessee -3. Their shooting combined with the tempo in this game will be enough to take the Over 140.5 as well. If they can beat the Arizona Wildcats at home, they can beat Auburn. The score will look something like this: Tennessee 84 Auburn 79.

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