Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators College Basketball prediction, preview
We have the unranked Gators sitting as a 5/5.5-point home favorite over the No. 21 ranked Vols, as the power ratings continue to respect Florida. The Gators have not been at their best much of the season, but when they are, this is one of the best teams in the country. Despite just a 10-5 record, Florida still ranks 13th overall in KenPom.
On Tuesday, the Gators hosted No. 18 Georgia, yet were still laying 9.5 points as the unranked home team. Florida went on to win the game by 15 points and cover. Tennessee represents a much tougher opponent, but the Vols have struggled away from home. Last Saturday, the Vols took shap money at Arkansas and actually closed the favorite. The Hogs were my favorite bet of the day in college hoops, and went on to win with margin. It was Tennessee’s second true road game of the season, with the other being a loss at Syracuse at a 7.5-point favorite.
The Vols are just 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, dating back to last season. The Swamp also has not been kind to them historically, with Tennessee on a 1-6 ATS run in its last seven games at Florida. Again, this Florida team is a class below last season after losing all those guards to the NBA, but it’s still very capable, and off to a 7-0 start at home.
The Vols got their bounce-back off the Arkansas loss at home on Tuesday against Texas. Now I think they should be in for some trouble in The Swamp. Florida has plenty of size in the front court to be physical with Tennessee. The Gator rank eighth in the country on the defensive side of the ball, per KenPom, which should cause the Vols to struggle to score here in a tough road environment.
Rather than laying points and needing to win this one by at least six points, I’ll turn to the Halftime/Fulltime line — to lead the game and halftime and win outright.
