Tennessee Basketball: Rest of Season Predictions, How to Watch, More

Tennessee basketball left Nashville Wednesday night with their heads low, and all confidence was completely gone. 

All teams go on cold streaks, and thankfully for Tennessee basketball fans, it’s not march yet. There are still plenty of games left on the schedule, so let’s dive in and see where the Vols will likely end up in March, how to watch, and more.

Tennessee Basketball Rest of Season Predictions

I have discussed KenPom’s adjusted efficiency margin in previous articles, but that is what I will be using to analyze the remainder of the Vols season to make predictions. KenPom describes AdjEM as:

"The more positive, the better. This [Adjusted Efficiency Margin] takes the offensive efficiency minus the defensive efficiency to determine by how many points a team would outscore the “average” Division I program by."

Sat, Feb 11: vs  Missouri, 6:00 PM ET

Analysis: Tennessee basketball currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and Missouri has a +13.50 AdjEM. So on a neutral site, the Vols should win by 13.13 points. However, considering that the Vols are home this should push the spread even further toward the Volunteers. However, since the Vols are coming off a loss, and have been struggling lately, I predict that Vegas will have this spread closer to 9.5 favoring the Vols on Saturday.

Prediction: Take the Vols up to -9.5 or better, and the Tigers at +12.5 or better. I would pass on any bets if the spread is between 10-12.

How to watch: ESPN, SEC Network

Wed, Feb 15: vs  (4) Alabama, 7:00 PM ET

Analysis: Tennessee basketball currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and like the game against Missouri, they will be hosting the Crimson Tide at home in Thompson Bowling Arena. For the sake of this article, we will assume that the Volunteers beat Missouri on Saturday, and roll into this game with some momentum. Alabama has a +27.02 AdjEM, but since this game is at home, I predict Vegas will have this spread sitting around -3.5 favoring the Volunteers.

Prediction: Take the Vols up to -3.5 or better, and the Crimson Tide at +5.5 or better. I would pass on any bets if the spread is between 4-5.

How to watch: ESPN, ESPN2

Sat, Feb 18: @  Kentucky, 1:00 PM ET

Analysis: It’s revenge time for Tennessee basketball, coming off that loss at home earlier in the season to the Wildcats they will be looking to build momentum going into the SEC tournament and will want to get back at Kentucky for giving them their first home loss in 2 years. Tennessee currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and Kentucky has a +15.57 AdjEM. If the Vols pull off the win over Alabama in the previous game, then I can see Vegas putting this spread at around -3.5 for the Volunteers due to it being a home game for the Wildcats.

Prediction: Take the Vols up to -5.5 or better, and the Wildcats at +8.5 or better. I would pass on any bets if the spread is between 6-8.

How to watch: CBS

Tue, Feb 21: @  Texas A&M, 7:00 PM ET

Analysis: If the Vols sweep the past three games, and finally get back on track, then this game can be a big one for the Volunteers. Playing at Texas A&M is very difficult, and will be a great one to watch. Tennessee basketball currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and Texas A&M has a +16.01. Due to the game being played in Reed Arena, I can see Vegas having this game being close to a -1.5 spread for the Vols.

Prediction: Take the Vols up to -3.5 or better, and the Aggies at +5.5 or better. I would pass on any bets if the spread is between 4-5.

How to watch: TBD

Sat, Feb 25: vs  South Carolina, 6:00 PM ET

Analysis: I don’t know if the Vols will win all four of the previous games, but if they do then expect a hefty spread coming back to Knoxville for a rivalry game against the Gamecocks. Tennessee basketball currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and South Carolina has a -5.92 AdjEM. I see Vegas having this spread at close to -15.5 for the Vols.

Prediction: Pass

How to watch: SEC Network

Tue, Feb 28: vs  Arkansas, 9:00 PM ET

Analysis: Assuming the Vols thump the Gamecocks, they will then be hosting yet another rival. Arkansas is a sneaky good basketball team and this could be a trap game that many people may overlook. Tennessee currently has a +26.63 AdjEM and Arkansas has a +19.05 AdjEM. I think that Vegas sets a trap line in this game, putting the Vols at -3.5 at home.

Prediction: Vols ML as a parlay piece.

How to watch: TBD

Sat, Mar 4: @  (25) Auburn, 4:00 PM ET

Analysis: For the final game of the season, the Vols will be traveling to Auburn to take on the currently ranked Tigers. This game will be a close one, and I can see Vegas having the Tigers as short favorites at home. No matter what the Vols or Auburn’s AdjEM is at this point in the season, I have a feeling that Auburn will be favored by around -2.5.

Prediction: Vols ML at + odds.

How to watch: TBD