SEC NCAA Basketball: Volunteers @ Wildcats Preview

Updated On Feb 15, 2019 by Ryan Knuppel

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee VolunteersTwo SEC heavyweights meet in primetime on Saturday night in a top 10 matchup between Tennessee and Kentucky. Kentucky leads the all time series 98-44, but Tennessee has won 3 of the last 5 matchups head to head.

Tennesse won their last game 85-73 at home against South Carolina on Wednesday. Last Tuesday (2/5) they beat Mizzou 72-60 at home, and on Saturday (2/9) they beat Florida 73-61 at home.

Kentucky is coming off a 73-71 loss at home against #19 LSU on Tuesday. Last Tuesday (2/5) they beat South Carolina 76-48 at home, and on Saturday (2/9) they beat Mississippi State 71-67 on the road.

On the season, Tennessee is 13-9-1 ATS and 5-1 ATS on the road. On the season, Kentucky is 14-10 ATS and 7-7 ATS at home.

#1 Tennessee Volunteers

(23-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 11-0 in conference)

Tennessee averages 85.4 PPG, 38.1 RPG, 20.0 APG, 5.9 SPG, 5.9 BPG, and 11.3 TPG. As a team they shoot 51.5% from the field, 76.7% from the free throw line, and 36.8% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 67.3 PPG, 39.0% shooting from the field, and 32.1% shooting from 3 point range.

They are led by forward Grant Williams who averages 19.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.6 BPG while shooting 57.9% from the field, 83.2% from the free throw line, and 30.0% from 3 point range. Admiral Schofield is a fantastic #2, averaging 16.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.5 BPG while shooting 48.8/76.0/40.5. Jordan Bone handles the ball handling duties and averages 13.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.7 BPG and 45.9% shooting from the field. Lamonte Turner (11.7 PPG/2.3 RPG/3.5 APG/1.1 SPG), Jordan Bowden (11.5 PPG/3.3 RPG/2.5 APG/0.8 SPG/39.5% from 3), Kyle Alexander (8.5 PPG/6.9 RPG/1.9 BPG/64.3% from the field) and John Fulkerson (3.7 PPG/2.7 RPG/0.6 SPG/0.7 BPG) are big contributors as well

Key Injuries

None

#5 Kentucky Wildcats

(20-4 overall, 13-1 at home, 9-2 in conference)

Kentucky averages 78.4 PPG, 39.0 RPG, 14.2 APG, 6.6 SPG, 4.9 BPG, and 12.9 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.5% from the field, 74.6% from the free throw line, and 35.3% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 65.2 PPG, 40.6% shooting from the field, and 35.7% shooting from 3 point range.

They are led by sophomore forward P.J. Washington, who averages 14.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG and 1.1 BPG while shooting 51.5% from the field, 69.6% from the free throw line and 43.1% from 3 point range. Freshman Keldon Johnson contributes 14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 APG and 0.8 SPG while shooting 48.3/74.3/40.7. Fellow freshman Tyler Herro puts up 13.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG and 35.4% shooting from 3. Reid Travis (11.6 PPG/7.0 RPG/0.8 BPG/51.9% from the field), Ashton Hagans (7.1 PPG/2.4 RPG/4.4 APG/2.1 SPG), Immanuel Quickley (5.9 PPG/1.8 RPG/1.8 APG) and E.J. Montgomery (4.2 PPG/4.0 RPG/1.0 BPG) play big minutes as well.

Key Injuries

None

Predictions

Kentucky Good. Tennessee Better. Tennessee Cover. Take the Volunteers over the Wildcats. Go Basketballs!

Ryan Knuppel Author

Ryan (aka Knup) has been writing sports betting content for over a decade now. He covers anything and everything related to United Stats sports including football, basketball, baseball, golf and more. He has finished first place in several gambling related contests over the years which gives him instant credibility in the betting world. Ryan is a die-hard St. Louis...

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