Tennessee basketball tips off a six-game stretch against quality opponents on Monday afternoon when they face off against Rutgers in the opening game of the Players Era Festival. Rutgers has struggled early this season but should still be the Vols’ hardest game to date.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup from the broadcast details to the betting odds and much more.
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How to Watch — No. 20 Tennessee (5-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Rutgers (4-1, 0-0 Big 10)
- Start Time: 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
- Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena
- Watch: TNT. PxP: Brandon Gaudin, CC: LVFL Candace Parker, Sideline: Nabil Karum
- Online Streaming: Watch TNT Live
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Vol Network radio crew: PxP: John Wilkerson, CC: Steve Hamer
Betting Odds
- Tennessee -14.5 Rutgers
- Over/under 143.5
- Tennessee -15 Rutgers
- Over/under 143
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):
Rutgers (via last game):
What Rick Barnes Said About The Scarlett Knights
On what stands out about Rutgers
“Really well coached, excellent coach. Coach Pikiell is excellent. Very, very sound. You watch his teams really good defensively, really protect the lane well. Puts his guys in the position he wants them in, but he’s got a, obviously, a great reputation as a coach. And once you start watching him on tape and seeing what he does with his team, and he does an outstanding job getting the point across of how he wants to play the game.”
Where They Land In Rankings
Tennessee:
- AP Poll: No. 20
- Coaches Poll: No. 17
- KenPom: No. 13
- Bart Torvik: No. 14
- EvanMiya: No. 12
Rutgers:
- AP Poll: N/R
- Coaches Poll: N/R
- KenPom: No. 126
- Bart Torvik: No. 119
- EvanMiya: No. 120
Team Stats (via KenPom)
Tennessee:
Rutgers:
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Nate Ament — 18.8 PPG, 43.5 FG%, 25 3PT%
Rebounds: Nate Ament — 8.4 RPG, 6.2 DRPG, 2.2 ORPG
Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 6 APG, 3.8 TOPG, 30 MPG
Rutgers:
Points: Dylan Grant — 16.6 PPG, 51.9 FG%, 50 3PT%
Rebounds: Emmanuel Ogbole — 7.8 RPG, 5.2 DRPG, 2.6 ORPG
Assists: Tariq Francis — 3.4 APG, 1.2 TOPG, 28.6 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee:
- 89-60 win versus Tennessee State
- 91-66 win versus Rice
- 99-66 win versus North Florida
- 95-56 win versus Northern Kentucky
- 76-61 win versus Mercer
Rutgers:
- 67-55 loss versus Central Connecticut State
- 80-71 win versus American
- 84-72 win versus Lehigh
- 72-60 win versus Maine
- 81-53 win versus Rider
Prediction
Tennessee’s six-game stretch against strong competition begins with the easiest game of the bunch. Expectations were low for Rutgers entering the season and the Scarlett Knights have done little to change that including a loss against Central Connecticut State in its last game.
Rutgers does not shoot many three pointers and Tennessee’s rim defense has been strong so far this season. The Scarlett Knights also haven’t forced many turnovers to this point in the season which has been Tennessee’s biggest flaw to this point in the season.
However, this should be a low possession game. Rutgers should be highly motivated after its bad showing on Friday and it’s easy to see Tennessee coming out slow in its first power five game— especially one that tips at 10 a.m. local time.
Tennessee 77, Rutgers 65
