On Tuesday night, Tennessee can finally put all the chatter about the three-game losing streak away. The vols have had a week off, and Surely this week of practice has brought the team back to where they need to be.
Over the three-game losing skid, there have been too many mental mistakes. Communication issues on defense, missing way too many free throws, turnovers, and layups at the rim. For the past couple of weeks, it seems like everything that could’ve gone wrong for Tennessee went wrong
Getting the train back on track won't be easy, as they will host Louisville at the Food City Center. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Louisville is ranked 10th in the country, and Pat Kelsey’s team is extremely talented.
Louisville is led by a talented backcourt in veteran Ryan Conwell, averaging almost 20 points a game, and freshman Mikel Brown Jr., who puts up 16.6 points a night.
The Cardinals run a fast-paced, efficient offense and live and die by the three. They are currently number one in the nation in three-point attempts, with 55% of their possessions resulting in a three-point attempt.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel sportsbook
Line: Tennessee -2.5
Over/Under: 157.5
Moneyline: Tennessee -144 | Louisville +120
Prediction: Will Tennessee bounce back?
Rick Barnes will need to look heavily into the film on how Arkansas was able to beat Louisville 89-80. The hogs did two things exceptionally well. They forced Louisville to take tough shots from behind the arc, and they dominated on the glass.
This is much easier said than done, but Tennessee is fully capable of doing both of these things. If the Vols can play a stellar defensive game, the offense should follow.
Containing Louisville won’t be easy, and Tennessee’s playmakers need to step up. Ja’kobi Gillespie has had a nice season, but he needs to be the floor general. Nate Ament is a freshman star, but if he continues his slump, it might be a long night for Tennessee.
The Vols are capable of the recipe for beating Louisville, and I think they will get it done. Tennessee is just too talented to go on a four-game losing streak. Tennessee wins behind a rocking home crowd. It won’t be easy, as they will have to grind it out, but Rick Barnes and co. Snap the losing streak.
Final score: Tennessee 79 Louisville 78