Kentucky vs Tennessee Odds, Lines, and Spread

• #19 Tennessee is an 8-point home favorite over Kentucky on Saturday (Feb. 20th, 1 pm EST)
• The over has hit in each of the Wildcats’ last five games, including in their previous meeting with the Vols
• See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction

It took nearly the whole season, but the University of Kentucky is finally playing some decent ball. The Wildcats (7-13, 6-7 SEC) have won back-to-back games for just the second time all season, and will look to extend their mini winning streak on Saturday (Feb. 20, 1 pm EST) against #19 Tennessee.

The Volunteers (15-5, 8-5 SEC) enter play having won three of their past four, and are getting plenty of respect in this matchup at online sportsbooks.

Kentucky vs #19 Tennessee Odds

Odds taken Feb. 19th.

Tennessee opened up as an 8-point home favorite, in a game that features a total of 134. Both programs have been clicking on offense recently, and there’s reason to believe this over/under is too low.

Tennessee Stomps South Carolina

The Vols racked up 93 points in a 20-point victory over South Carolina on Wednesday, their highest point total in nearly two full months. Victor Bailey led the way with a career-high 29, splashing 7 triples along the way.

VJ. Throwing flames.#GBO x @GEICO pic.twitter.com/2V4CBpQfiA

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 18, 2021

John Fulkerson poured in 19, while Jaden Springer added 16, helping Tennessee eclipse the 80-point mark for the third time in their last four outings. Prior to this current stretch, they scored 79 or fewer in seven of eight, which is why they’re offense ranks so low in the SEC.

soarin' + scorin' pic.twitter.com/BivEDojTEI

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 18, 2021

The Volunteers are currently 11th in the conference in points per game, 10th in field goal percentage, and ninth from beyond the arc.

On defense is where they’ve excelled this season, leading the SEC in opponent points per game, but they’ve been a bit leaky at that end of the court recently. They’ve allowed an average of 75.8 points per outing over their last four, which is 9 points higher than their season average.

Kentucky Hangs On Against Vandy

The Wildcats meanwhile, took down Vanderbilt 82-78 last time out, nearly blowing a 17-point lead. Davion Mintz paced the offense with 18, while Jacob Toppin splashed 16, and Isaiah Jackson racked up 15 points and 9 boards.

We had five players score in double figures last night, marking second time this season that many guys scored 10+@deemintz1, @bboston_, @Jtoppin0, @IJackson22, @sarr_olivier | @UKMBBStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/hZctxL785x

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 19, 2021

Kentucky won the rebounding and assist battle, forced 14 turnovers and blocked 11 shots. After struggling offensively for most of the year, they’ve now scored 80 or more in three straight and are statistically a better offense than Tennessee. The Wildcats rank ninth in the SEC in points per game, and only one program shoots a higher percentage from beyond the arc.

Defensively, they’re well behind the Volunteers, allowing an average of 73.4 points per game, and at least 78 in four straight.

Play the Over

The last time these two met they produced a total of 153, soaring past the over/under by 27 points. Tennessee limited Kentucky to 38.5% from the field, and 23.5% from 3, but still coughed up 71 points.

The Vols shot 47.1% from the field and given how well they’re performing on offense recently, another 80-point performance is likely. The over is 5-3 in their past eight outings, while Wildcats’ games have been cashing over tickets at an extremely high rate over the second half of the season.

Each of Kentucky’s past five contests have eclipsed the total, and nine of their 13 conference games have gone over as well. The over is 6-3 in their nine home contests and each of their last five outings have produced a total of at least 144.

Pick: Over 134 (-110)