NCAA Vegas Pick: Tennessee Volunteers vs No 1 Kentucky Wildcats
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
Tennessee Volunteers will try to play the role of spoiler as it visits Rupp Arena for a game with No. 1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The NCAA odds don't favor the Vols; Kentucky has won 13 straight games this season and has been victorious in 47 straight home games.
Plus, Tennessee has yet to win a road game. This game could be decided by interior defense and who can attack the basketball with the most effectiveness. Both teams have good shot-blockers; Kentucky averages an NCAA-best 9.2 blocks and Tennessee averages 4.8.
Kentucky leads the all-time series 147-66 and has won seven of the last eight meetings, including a 65-62 decision on Jan. 14.
- Tennessee Volunteers @ Kentucky Wildcats
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
TV: 7 p.m. ET. ESPNU
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Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Wildcats listed as 16½-point favorites versus the Volunteers.
Tennessee Volunteers (10-11): Jeronne Maymon has posted six double-doubles, most recently a 15-point, 19-rebound effort against Auburn. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds against Kentucky on Jan. 14. Cameron Tatum had 16 points against Kentucky in the first meeting, but has seen his average steadily fall to 8.7 points. Since Jan. 1 he's been in double figures only twice in nine games. Freshman Jarnell Stokes, who became eligible in midseason, continues to improve. He's averaging 10.6 points and scored in double figures in three of his first five college games; Stokes did not play against Kentucky. Jordan McRae broke out of scoring slump; he scored 11 against Auburn after totaling nine points in the previous five games.
Kentucky Wildcats (21-1): Terrence Jones is coming off a season-high 27 points, which is bad news for the Vols. The sophomore had two strong games against the Vols last year, totaling 26 points and 23 rebounds, and had 10 points and five rebounds in the first meeting this season. The Cats shot only 36 percent against the Vols in the first meeting, but got a great effort from freshmen Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Anthony Davis, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Kidd-Gilchrist (12.7 points) and Davis (13.3 points) are among five Kentucky players who average double figures.
1. Tennessee is 4-11 all-time against No. 1 teams, but has won its last two meetings against Kansas in 2010 and Memphis is 2008.
2. Kentucky will unveil a new set of Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms against the Vols.
3. Kentucky’s 7-0 start in the SEC is its best since going 10-0 to open the 2004-05 season.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Wildcats 76, Volunteers 58.
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anthony davis - cameron tatum - jarnell stokes - jeronne maymon - jordan mcrae - kentucky wildcats - michael kidd-gilchrist - rupp arena - tennessee volunteers - terrence jones
