Kentucky vs. Tennessee Prediction, Odds & Preview Today: Best Picks for Jan. 28
Last Updated: January 28, 2025 12:20 PM EST • 3 min 16 sec read.
Two programs that have been upset by Vanderbilt in recent days will meet tonight at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) when Kentucky (14-5) takes the court at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., to play Tennessee (17-3).
While the Volunteers are fresh off a loss to Auburn, the March Madness odds favorite, my Kentucky vs. Tennessee prediction and odds expect Rick Barnes' team to get back on track as a 10-point favorite.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee predictions today
College basketball picks based on the odds from our best March Madness betting sites.
- Against the spread pick: Tennessee -10 () vs. Opponent ⭐⭐⭐
- My best pick: Zakai Zeigler Over 21.5 points and assists () ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kentucky vs. Tennessee ATS prediction
Tennessee to cover the spread: -10 ⭐⭐⭐
After losing to Vanderbilt by one last week, Tennessee got back to its old ways by beating a ranked Mississippi State team by 12 and then going toe-to-toe with Auburn on the road. They only lost to the Tigers when they missed a last-second three, and that was a squad that had Johni Broome back, Cooper Flagg's only competition in the Wooden Award odds race.
The Vols covered against Auburn as a 7-point dog and are now 13-7 ATS this season, while Kentucky is just 9-10 and coming off back-to-back losses to Vandy and Alabama, both of whom they were favored against. Both losses highlighted Mark Pope's team's defensive issues - it's 299th in points allowed per game (76.0) and just 81st in adjusted defensive efficiency, per .
The combo of Chaz Lanier (18.0 PPG) and Zakai Zeigler (12.3 PPG, 7.5 APG) should give the Wildcats' defense all it can handle. And that poor defensive play is why Kentucky feels like it's in a shootout every night, but the Vols have the best defense in the country - first in adjusted efficiency, third in points allowed (58.4).
The Wildcats will have too much trouble penetrating a defense that holds opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage in the nation (36%) to cover. If Tennessee covers for a third straight game, a $10 bet pays a $9.09 profit.
Best odds: -110 via bet365 | Implied probability: 52.38%
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Best Kentucky vs. Tennessee pick
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Zakai Zeigler Over 21.5 points and assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐
While Lanier may be Tennessee's leading scorer, Zeigler is the heart and soul of this team on both ends of the court. The 5-foot-9, two-time All-SEC guard is one of the best passers in the country and one of just three players putting up 12-plus PPG and seven-plus APG.
Given Kentucky's defensive woes, Zeigler is poised to go Over 21.5 points and assists for the 10th time this season. The Wildcats are 355th in assists allowed per game (12.5) and 16th in SEC play (13.8).
The apples should come easy to Zeigler with Lanier flanking him, and his ability to get to the charity stripe should come in handy too - Kentucky is 16th in the SEC in free throws allowed per game (26.8). If Zeigler pops off and hits the Over, a $10 bet pays an $8.70 profit.
Best odds: -115 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.49%
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Live Kentucky vs. Tennessee odds
See all of this week's college basketball odds and NCAAB scores.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee opening odds
- Spread: Kentucky +8.5 (-110) | Tennessee -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 148 (-110) | Under 148 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kentucky +320 | Tennessee -400
Kentucky vs. Tennessee game info
- When: Tuesday, Jan. 28
- Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
- How to watch: ESPN
- Favorite: Tennessee -10 (-110 via bet365)
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