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Creighton vs Tennessee Expert Picks and Predictions for the Sweet 16

Zach Reger

by Zach Reger in College Basketball

Updated Mar 28, 2024 · 7:38 PM PDT

Mar 21, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Jonas Aidoo (0) dunks in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Saint Peter's Peacocks at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
  • The #3 Creighton Bluejays take on the #2 Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16 on Friday
  • The Bluejays are trying to reach the Elite Eight for the second straight season
  • Keep reading for Creighton vs Tennessee picks and predictions for March 29

The Creighton Bluejays and Tennessee Volunteers are battling for a spot in the Elite Eight in the Midwest Region of the March Madness bracket. Creighton defeated Akron 77-60 in the first round then beat #11 Oregon in a double overtime thriller to get to their third Sweet 16 in four years. Tennessee took down #15 Saint Peters in the Round of 64 83-49 then defeated #7 Texas in the Round of 32 to make the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.

Creighton got to their first Elite Eight since 1941 last year and would like to make it back there. Tennessee lost to FAU in the Sweet 16 last season and are looking to get back to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2010. The Volunteers have been lost three straight Sweet 16 games.

Creighton vs Tennessee Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Creighton Bluejays +3 (-110) +125 Over 143.5 (-110)
Tennessee Volunteers -3 (-110) -150 Under 143.5 (-110)

Friday’s college basketball odds list Tennessee as a 3-point favorite over Creighton. The line has moved slightly after opening at Tennessee -2. The Volunteers are -150 on the moneyline, which gives them an implied win probability of 60%. The total has shot down since it opened at 148.5, as the O/U is now down to 143.5

Heading into the Sweet 16, Tennessee has the sixth-best NCAA Tournament Championship odds at +1400, while Creighton is currently +2500 to win it all.

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Odds as of March 28 at Fanatics. Claim the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code to bet on Creighton vs Tennessee.

Creighton Betting Trends

Creighton is 19-15 against the spread this season and has covered in both of their two NCAA Tournament games so far. The Bluejays entered March Madness hot winning seven of their last eight games of the regular season before falling to Providence in the Big East Tournament. Creighton has covered the spread in nine of their last 11 games, but they are 0-2 against the spread as an underdog of at least three points.

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The Bluejays love the three-ball. They score over 80 points and shoot over 10 three pointers per game. Their offense is ranked eleventh in adjusted efficiency and is led by Baylor Scheierman who puts up 18.3 points per game as well as over 9 rebounds a game. Creighton’s offense is difficult to stop because they have so many players that can score the basketball with ease. Trey Alexander and 7-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner both average over 17 points per game and are trusted down the stretch.

Creighton does a good job of defending shots as well. They allow opponents to shoot just 41% from the field and allow teams to shoot 31% from behind the arc.

Tennessee Betting Trends

The Volunteers are 17-16-1 against the spread this year and are 1-1 against the spread in the tournament. They have only covered once in their last four games, and the over has only hit twice in their last ten games.

Tennessee had one of, if not their worst shooting game of the season against Texas and they still found a way to win. The Volunteers were 3/25 from three and shot just 33% from the field in the Round of 32. They were able to rely on their defense and held the Longhorns to 58 points. Tennessee is ranked third in defensive efficiency, so when the shots are not falling, Tennessee can stay in any game with their defense.

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Tennessee’s offense has played well this year outside of their last game. SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht averages 21 points per game and has the ability to take over games. The Volunteers will be looking for Knecht to have a big game against Creighton.

Creighton vs Tennessee Prediction

This is one of the most exciting Sweet 16 games this year as both teams have had Final Four expectations since the start of the year. It should go down to the wire, but Tennessee has the slight edge.

It is hard to imagine the Volunteers having another offensive performance like they had against Texas. If their offense gets back to scoring the way they can, they will be tough to beat. If Creighton is hitting all their threes, it could be difficult for Tennessee, but I will trust the Volunteers’ defense to hold them in check. The Volunteers advance to their first Elite Eight since 2010.

Pick: Tennessee -3 (-110)

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