Tigers, Volunteers Meet in SEC Battle of Unbeatens at Mizzou Arena

The Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers, a combined 12-0 straight up this season, match up Wednesday in a contest that may feature the top two teams in the SEC. Missouri is seeking its third straight win at home vs a ranked opponent while Tennessee eyes its fourth consecutive victory over Missouri. 

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Tennessee opened as a conservative 2-point favorite against Missouri, but with money piling in on the Volunteers, they now are a healthy 3.5-point favorite. The total, which opened at 132 and has moved up to 133, seems sneaky low but justified based on pace of play and the matchup history. 

Tennessee News & Notes

At a cursory glance, Tennessee’s 6-0 record and numbers could be slightly misleading. The Vols have been on an offensive tear in their past four games, but let’s dive into those opponents.

Playing USC Upstate, Saint Joseph’s, Tennessee Tech and Appalachian State, the defensive pressure hasn’t exactly been top-tier. In fact, those opponents have a combined 6-25 record this season. Take away those four scrimmage-like games and the Vols are averaging just 60.5 points per outing.

Rick Barnes’ prestigious program is led by junior Victor Bailey, a transfer from Oregon, and senior John Fulkerson, who average 13.2 and 11.8 points per game respectively. The Volunteers have also been a covering machine, going 5-1 ATS in their six games. 

Missouri News & Notes

Missouri comes into this game a clean 6-0 with two impressive wins as underdogs against ranked Illinois and Oregon. With an experienced roster that includes three senior starters, the Tigers unsurprisingly have covered in four of their six games.

They are led by the trio of Xavier Pinson, Mark Smith and Dru Smith, who average between 14.3 and 13.2 points per game and were the program’s top three scorers a year ago.

Cuonzo Martin’s squad has struggled against Tennessee in recent history, losing three straight by an average of over 15 points per game. 

Betting Pick: UNDER 133

Tennessee has a top-20 defense and is playing a Missouri team that ranks outside the top 150 in field-goal percentage and is just inside the top 300 in three-point percentage. Vegas had the total at 122 less than a year ago when these teams faced off. Take advantage of this inflated total.