The Tennessee Volunteers are riding high after a surprising upset of Kentucky last time out. They will aim for a second straight game knocking off a better team when they play the Kansas State Wildcats in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Kansas State has looked solid this season and is zeroing in on a NCAA men’s basketball tournament appearance. The Wildcats need a few more wins to secure a berth, and a road win over the Vols would be a nice step.
Tennessee is looking for its third consecutive home win in this matchup.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 2 p.m. ET at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee is 11-9 straight up and 10-8 against the spread on the year. The Volunteers have played in eight home games but have only covered three of them. Tennessee has played well as an underdog, covering in seven of 10 attempts, and will aim to continue that trend in this one.
Kansas State is 15-5 straight up and an impressive 10-5-1 against the spread. The Wildcats have played five true road games and have covered in four of them. Kansas State is 6-4-1 against the spread as the favorite this season.
Key Stat
64.7. That’s how many points per game opponents are averaging against this Kansas State defense. January has been tough for the Wildcats defense, as the team started the month by surrendering 90 points in a loss to No. 3 Kansas on January 3rd.
This month, the Kansas State defense is giving up 76.3 points a game. A strong performance this weekend against Tennessee will be key before a tough stretch in early February which includes rematches against Baylor, Kansas and West Virginia.
Tennessee comes into this matchup with an offense that is averaging 78 points a game. The team is fresh off an 82-80 upset over No. 4 Kentucky and has combined for 173 points in the last two games.
The team that can control the action when Tennessee has the ball will have the leg up. Kansas State may be able to exert its dominance in that matchup.
Player to Watch
Robert Hubbs III – The Tennessee senior guard is the team’s leading scorer with 15.2 points a game and is also averaging five rebounds a game. Hubbs had 25 points and seven rebounds in the victory against Kentucky on Tuesday and has combined for 44 points and 12 rebounds in the last two games.
Hubbs put up a season-high 28 points against Chaminade on November 23rd and also scored 25 against Tennessee Tech on December 13th. He has scored 20 points or more against six opponent so far this season.
The senior put up 22 points and 10 rebounds against Lipscomb last month as well. It was his only double-double of the season so far.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Tennessee has to be feeling good after the recent win over one of the best teams in the country, but is still basically a .500 team without much hope of making March Madness.
The Wildcats have been the much more consistent group and even on the road have a good shot at winning this game. The Vols’ ecstasy will be short-lived as their Big 12 brethren will come in and pick up this road victory.
Kansas State isn’t quite on the same level as conference foes Kansas, Baylor and West Virginia, but is solidly on the next tier. The Wildcats are hoping to string together some wins down the stretch and this is a good opportunity.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas State 74, Tennessee 70
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