Texas (21-12) at Tennessee (25-8)
Game Info: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. EST (Spectrum Center)
Betting Odds: Tennessee-6.5 (-110) - Over/Under (146.5)
Pick: Tennessee -6.5 (-110)
The Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers will open up their second round of the NCAA tournament against each other here on Saturday night. Both of these teams came into their first round matchup as the favorites to pick up the victory and they did exactly that and now they will meet with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Both of these teams came into the season as prospective favorites to make deep runs into the NCAA tournament but unfortunately one of their runs will end here on Saturday night. There should be a competitive back-and-forth contest between these two power five programs here in this one. As two more traditional basketball powers try to book their spot in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA tournament.
Texas comes into this game looking to keep their NCAA tournament run intact against a red hot Tennessee team here on Saturday night. Their 20 victories on the season was enough to get them an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament and they survived an upset bid from Colorado State and they’re open and round. Now they will look to grab their second consecutive victory of the tournament as they look to take down a national title contender in the form of Tennessee. Texas held Colorado State to only 44 points in their first round matchup and that is something they will need to replicate throughout this game on Saturday if they want to be successful.
They will need to find a way to slow down Dalton Knecht, as he has been one of the best players in the country throughout the year. If they can successfully find a way to limit his impact on this game, Texas has a legit opportunity to pick up the victory and advance to the third round of the NCAA tournament in the process. Although they were able to hold Colorado State to 44 points, Texas will need to put up more than 56 if they want to beat a red hot and fast paced Tennessee offense. As the Longhorns, we need to slow down the tempo of the game, and hit their shots up and down the court if they want to be successful here on Saturday night against Tennessee.
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Tennessee has put together a fantastic season and they will look to keep the momentum rolling here on Saturday night against Texas. They should have the crowd advantage with this game, taking place in North Carolina, and they have the talent advantage with one of the best players in the country on the floor for them. Dalton Knecht has been incredible all season long, and he is in the running to win the national player of the year award, and he would deserve the award if he were to win it. He has been a serious threat on the offensive end of the court all year long, and he has helped lead Tennessee to all their success throughout the SEC and up to this point of the tournament as well.
Tennessee comes into this game with 25 victories on the season and they will look for their 26th one of the year as they look to punch their ticket to the third round of the tournament. Tennessee left no doubt on Thursday after a day full of close games as they absolutely battered Saint Peters, and one of the biggest blowouts in the history of the NCAA tournament. Tennessee held them to under 50 points and put up 83 of their own in a massive victory and now they will look to replicate that performance throughout this game against Texas on Saturday. If they can bring out that stingy defense once again, Tennessee will surely find themselves in the next round of the tournament, and they will only increase their odds to win the national championship this season. If this Tennessee team can get hot coming down the stretch, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the later rounds of the NCAA tournament.
Betting trends to consider in this matchup:
- Tennessee is 19-5 after a win
- Tennessee is 23-5 as a favorite
- Tennessee is 11-3 outside of the SEC
I look for this to be a close and competitive game throughout the majority of the contest on Saturday night. As I look for Texas and Tennessee to trade buckets back-and-forth late in the contest, but in the end, I do look for Tennessee to pull away and pick up the victory. Not only do I look for Tennessee to pick up the win over Texas and send them home from the tournament, but I also expect Tennessee to do enough to cover the spread in the process here on Saturday night in Charlotte.
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