Wolverines vs Volunteers Odds & Picks: Vols Favored Over Inconsistent Michigan

The No. 3 seed Tennessee Volunteers (27-7 SU, 20-14 ATS) head into their second-round matchup as the favorite against the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines (18-14, 14-18) on Saturday. The Volunteers have won eight straight games while the Wolverines have been up and down all season, failing to win consecutive contests since February 10. Will Michigan’s pattern continue? Find out in our Wolverines vs Volunteers prediction.

Wolverines vs Volunteers Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Vols opened as 6-point favorites with the total hovering around 136.5 points. The OVER is 5-1 in Michigan’s last six outings while the UNDER is 6-4 in Tennessee’s last 10 games. Given Michigan’s up-and-down form this season, a dominant Tennessee team is the safe pick for your Wolverines vs Volunteers prediction.

Get the best Wolverines vs Volunteers odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Michigan Moves On Without Jones

Michigan took down the No. 6 seed Colorado State Rams in their first-round matchup on Thursday, winning 75-63. Center Hunter Dickinson scored 21 points to lead Michigan while freshman Frankie Collins had 14 points and added six rebounds in his first start for the Wolverines, taking the place of point guard DeVante’ Jones, who was out in concussion protocol.

While they survived the first round without their starting point guard, the Wolverines will be hoping that Jones is ready to go for Saturday’s game. Michigan managed just four points off the bench in their last outing, which probably won’t cut it against a tough Tennessee squad.

Volunteers Roll To Easy First-Round Win

Tennessee waltzed to an easy 88-56 win over the Longwood Lancers in the first round as the big favorite. Santiago Vescovi (18 points, 7 assists) led the scoring for the Vols, going 6-for-8 from beyond the arc, while four others finished in double digits. It was a well-balanced offensive performance for Tennessee, which shot 60 percent from the field.

The Volunteers also flexed their defensive muscles on Thursday, holding the Lancers to their lowest score of the season. That should come as no surprise, given Tennessee’s ranking as the third-best team in the nation by adjusted defensive efficiency. The Vols will be hoping to bring that same defensive structure into the second round against a Wolverines squad that is arguably better than its seeding.

Wolverines vs Volunteers Pick & Insights

Wolverines: Keys To Cover

The Wolverines’ fate will likely be determined by whether Jones is good to go or not. Michigan got by Colorado State in the first round without him, but Tennessee’s defense represents a whole other challenge altogether. Senior guard Eli Brooks can do a lot on his own – as illustrated by his 40-minute, 16-point performance on Thursday – but the Wolverines are a lot more dangerous with both starting guards on the court.

Volunteers: Keys To Cover

The Vols are rounding into form at the perfect time and there’s really nothing they need to change. After a slow start against the Lancers, we saw them make some defensive adjustments and blow the game wide open. Saturday’s game may not come easy, but Tennessee should be able to make the necessary adjustments to win once again.

Odds Shark’s Computer Wolverines vs Volunteers Prediction: Volunteers -6

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