No. 11 Tennessee Basketball vs. Virginia: How to Watch, Betting Odds, Prediction

Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):

Virginia (via UVA Game Notes):

Team Statistics (via Sports Reference)

Tennessee:

Virginia:

Stat Leaders

Tennessee:

Points: Zakai Zeigler — 15.5 PPG, 54.1 FG%, 47.6 3PT%

Rebounds: Felix Okpara — 6.5 RPG, 4 DRPG, 2.5 ORPG

Assists: Zakai Zeigler — 7.8 APG, 4.5 TOPG, 31.8 MPG

Virginia:

Points: Isaac McNeely — 16 PPG, 64 FG%, 64.7 3PT%

Rebounds: Jacob Cofie — 7.7 RPG, 6.3 DRPG, 1.3 ORPG

Assists: Blake Buchanan — 2.7 APG, 0.7 TOPG, 22 MPG

Latest Games

Tennessee:

• 103-68 win versus Austin Peay
• 92-57 win versus Montana
• 77-55 win at Louisville
• 80-64 win versus Gardner-Webb

Virginia:

• 70-60 win against Villanova (Baltimore)
• 62-45 win versus Coppin State
• 65-56 win versus Campbell

Prediction

Tennessee basketball gets the first of what should be two solid tests on Thursday night. Virginia has a new (interim) coach after Tony Bennett stepped away shortly before the season began but this is the same Cavaliers team you’re used to.

The Hoos are good defensively and will shorten the game by playing the pack line defense. But offensively they’re pretty limited. The key for Tennessee is to take Isaac McKneely out of the game. The wing is an elite shooter and Virginia’s best scorer. I’m expecting a heavy dose of Jahmai Mashack on him.

But the telling thing will be how much success Tennessee’s offense has against Virginia. KenPom thinks Tennessee only scores 70 points. If the Vols can hit some shots and score in the upper 70s it would be another good sign for an offense that’s been overall encouraging to this point in the season.

Tennessee 74, Virginia 62