No. 9 Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech: How To Watch, Betting Odds, Prediction
Tennessee basketball opens its 2023-24 season on Monday night when it hosts instate foe Tennessee Tech to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Expectations are high for Rick Barnes’ ninth Tennessee team. The Vols enter the season ranked in the nation’s top 10 and as the favorites to win the SEC.
Tennessee Tech enters John Pelphrey’s fifth season in Cookeville coming off a second place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference a season ago.
Here’s everything to know about the season opening matchup.
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How to Watch – No. 9 Tennessee (0-0) vs Tennessee Tech (0-0)
- Start Time: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- TV: SEC Network+ and ESPM+. PxP: Andy Brock, CC: Steve Hamer, Sideline: Sarah Detwiler
- Online Streaming: SEC Network +, and ESPN+
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
Betting Lines
Spread: Tennessee -30.5 Tennesse Tech
Total: Over/Under 134.5
Spread: Tennessee -28 Tennesse Tech
Total: Over/Under 134
Probable Starters
Tennesse Tech
*No probable starters given
Tennessee
Tennessee Tech
Stat Leaders (2022-23 Stats)
Tennessee:
- Points: Santiago Vescovi – 12.5 PPG, 39.6 FG%, 37 3PT%
- Rebounds: Jonas Aidoo – 4.9 RPG
- Assists: Zakai Zeigler – 5.4 APG, 2.3 TOPG, 28.7 MPG
Tennessee Tech
- Points: Jayvis Hardy — 12 PPG, 43.2 FG%, 43.9 3PT%
- Rebounds: Diante Wood — 3.6 RPG
- Assists: Jayvis Hardy — 2.3 APG, 1.7 TOPG, 31.1 MPG
Last Season Results
Tennessee
- Record: 25-11 (11-7 SEC)
- Sweet 16 loss
Tennessee Tech
- Record: 16-17 (11-7 OVC)
- No postseason tournament
Prediction
At long last, Tennessee basketball gets the real show started tonight. We’re going to get Zakai Zeigler’s return to the court at least with limited minutes according to Rick Barnes. However, the Vols could be without transfer guard Jordan Gainey.Still, this should be a drama free win for Tennessee. John Pelphrey has improved the Golden Eagles’ program in his four years as head coach but not enough to compete with Tennessee on this stage.
I’ll be watching for how Tennessee rebounds the basketball and how the rotations look with both Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi back in fold. Vols cruise in this one.
Tennessee 87, Tennessee Tech 51
