Middle Tennessee vs Tennessee Prediction, Odds & Picks

Heading into Christmas, college basketball is thin, but we do get an in-state matchup between Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee on Monday night. Despite being a heavy favorite, my MTSU Blue Raiders vs Tennessee Volunteers prediction is that the Vols will cover -26.5. Despite the close proximity of these schools, MTSU and UT have not played in over a decade. When the Blue Raiders make the couple hour drive across the plateau from Boro to Knoxville, they will enter a raucous arena, stinging from a football loss and ready to take on any opponent with the faces of their #1 ranked basketball team. While I think MTSU has a pretty good team this year, they’re heading into a bad spot against a white-hot team, and Tennessee has already covered giant spreads multiple times this season.

The undefeated Vols have won 6 of their 11 games by 25 points or more, and even more impressively, only Illinois has stayed within single digits of them. Although I don’t think this volunteer team is perfect to well, there is no doubt that they are playing at their peak right now. Until something changes, I will continue to support them. They have a talented and experienced point guard, another lethal shooter who moved in via the portal, and a balanced roster all around. KenPom has them as the #2 defense (behind Duke), which is to be expected, but also has them as the #15 offense, which is a surprise. This is no bank at MTSU. At 9-3, the Blue Raiders have been good so far this year and have enough talent to make a run for the Conference USA crown. But are you going to Knoxville to face the #1 team in the country firing on all cylinders? No thanks. Give me the Vols at -26.5.

Middle Tennessee State vs Tennessee Prediction: Tennessee -26.5 (-110) available at time of publication. Can be played on that track.

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