Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats Free College Basketball Pick
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Tennessee (15-8, 5-3 SEC) at #18 Kentucky (16-6, 4-4 SEC)
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 9:00PM EST
Venue: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.
Broadcast: ESPN
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Kentucky -9
Over/Under: 138
The Tennessee Volunteers roll into the “eRUPPution” zone as winners of five of their last eight since coach Bruce Pearl was suspended from Southeastern Conference play as result of his conduct and recruiting violations.
Pearl will return just in time for his Vols to begin a two game road trip against a pair of teams currently ranked in the top 20, starting with No.18 Kentuckyon Tuesday night.
The Rupp Arena has not lent itself to Pearl’s success, and is a place he has not won since a 75-67 victory back on Feb. 7, 2006.
Tennessee will look to change that for their leader who will pace the sideline wearing the bright-orange blazer he reserves only for Kentucky and Vanderbilt games.
Following up the win against Auburn, the Vols are coming off a disappointing 65-60 overtime loss to SEC West Division leader Alabama at home. Tennessee lost this as Alabama won the shooting and possession management battles.
The Crimson Tide shot 42 percent from the field, while their defense contained the Volunteers, only allowing 34 percent. Turnovers made all the difference, with 18 giveaways for the Vols. Tobias Harris did his best to keep the Volunteers in it with 19 points and contributed a game-high 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Kentucky has had its own issues, and despite their No. 18 ranking is just .500 halfway through the SEC season for the first time since 1990. The Wildcats has lost its last two SEC games including a 70-68 loss at Florida on Saturday night.
Brandon Knight had the most points against the Gators, scoring 24 on 50 percent shooting, 12 of that coming from three-point range. But turnovers were a glaring part of the loss, with 11 giveaways as the ‘Cats also found themselves in foul trouble often, committing 19 infractions.
Both teams are fighting to hang on in a tight SEC East Division battle. Tennessee is second and one loss behind division leader Florida while Kentucky’s is locked in a four-way tie with Georgia, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt.
Matt’s Free Pick: Kentucky-The Vols still have a lot hanging over their heads with the ongoing NCAA investigation and I am pretty sure with looking at their recent play, they are not about to upset the ‘Cats at the Rupp.
