After nine days off, Tennessee basketball is back in action on Tuesday night as they host Louisville in its final marquee non conference matchup of the regular season. The Vols are looking to bounce back from their third straight loss while Louisville is looking to keep rolling.
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. 10 Tennessee (7-3, 0-0 SEC) vs. No. 11 Louisville (9-1, 0-0 ACC)
- Start Time: 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- Watch: ESPN. PxP: Karl Ravech, CC: Jimmy Dykes
- Online Streaming: WatchESPN
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Vol Network radio crew: PxP: Mike Keith, CC: Chris Lofton
Betting Odds
- Tennessee -2.5 Louisville
- Over/under 157.5
- Tennessee -1 Louisville
- Over/under 159
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):
Louisville (via last game)
What Rick Barnes Said About The Cards
“And we’re playing against a team, I’ve got a lot of respect for Pat Kelsey and the job that he’s done at Louisville. I mean, he took over a program that we know has had great success, certainly for a long, long time. And one of the great coaching jobs a year ago, and he’s doing again this year. And so it’ll be a great test for us. And we’re going to see if we can get better when the lights come on.”
Where They Land In Rankings
Tennessee:
- AP Poll: No. 20
- Coaches Poll: No. 23
- KenPom: No. 18
- Bart Torvik: No. 18
- EvanMiya: No. 20
Louisville
- AP Poll: No. 11
- Coaches Poll: No. 11
- KenPom: No. 10
- Bart Torvik: No. 10
- EvanMiya: No. 10
Team Stats (via KenPom)
Tennessee:
Louisville:
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 17.3 PPG, 41.3 FG%, 33.8 3PT%
Rebounds: Nate Ament — 7.1 RPG, 5.2 DRPG, 1.9 ORPG
Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 5.4 APG, 2.7 TOPG, 32.1 MPG
Louisville:
Points: Ryan Conwell: 19.4 PPG, 43.1 FG%, 42 3PT%
Rebounds: Sananda Fru — 6.2 RPG, 2.8 DRPG, 3.4 ORPG
Assists: Mikel Brown Jr — 5.1 APG, 2.4 TOPG, 27.1 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee:
- 75-62 loss versus Illinois (Nashville)
- 62-60 loss at Syracuse
- 81-76 loss versus Kansas (Las Vegas)
- 76-73 win versus Houston (Las Vegas)
- 85-60 win versus Rutgers (Las Vegas)
Louisville:
- 99-73 win versus Memphis
- 87-78 win versus Indiana (Indianapolis)
- 89-80 loss at Arkansas
- 104-47 win versus NJIT
- 87-46 win versus Eastern Michigan
Prediction
Tennessee badly needs a win to end its losing streak and build some positive momentum heading into SEC play. The challenge is a difficult one.
Louisville is stellar on offense, ranking second nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency with one of the nation’s best backcourt. They will test Tennessee’s perimeter defense, especially its ball screen coverage, in this game.
The way the Cardinals play will test Tennessee’s defense, especially with a blow to its front court athleticism with Cade Phillips sidelined. A lot of things make me like Louisville in this game. But Tennessee is a good team at home, desperate for a win. Give me the Vols.
Tennessee 82, Louisville 79
