Tennessee Basketball vs. LSU: How to Watch, Betting Odds, Prediction

Tennessee basketball is back in action Saturday night when they host LSU in a Saturday night SEC matchup. The Vols are looking for a second straight victory while LSU is looking to end a two-game losing skid.

Here’s everything to know about the matchup from the broadcast details to the betting odds and much more.

More From RTI: Four-Star Big Man Includes Tennessee Basketball In Top Four

How to Watch — Tennessee (17-7, 7-4 SEC) vs LSU (14-10, 2-9 SEC)

• Start Time: 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT
• Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
• Watch: SEC Network. PxP: Mike Morgan, CC: Mark Wise
• Online Streaming: WatchESPN
• Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
• Vol Network radio crew: PxP: Mike Keith, CC: Chris Lofton

Betting Odds

FanDuel Sportsbook

• Tennessee -12.5 LSU
• Over/under 144.5

KenPom

• Tennessee -11 LSU
• Over/under: 145

Probable Starters

Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):

LSU (via LSU Game Notes):

Where They Land In The Rankings

Tennessee:

• AP Poll: NR
• Coaches Poll: NR
• KenPom: No. 18
• Bart Torvik: No. 17
• EvanMiya: No. 21

LSU:

• AP Poll: NR
• Coaches Poll: NR
• KenPom: No. 56
• Bart Torvik: No. 67
• EvanMiya: No. 60

Team Stats (via KenPom)

Tennessee:

LSU:

Stat Leaders

Tennessee:

Points: Ja’Kobi Gillespie  — 18.5 PPG, 41.4 FG%, 35.4 3PT%

Rebounds: Nate Ament — 6.3 RPG, 4.7 DRPG, 1.6 ORPG

Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 5.3 APG, 2.3 TOPG, 33.8 MPG

LSU:

Points: Max Mackinnon — 14.5 PPG, 41.9 FG%, 39.3 3PT%

Rebounds: Marquel Sutton — 7.8 RPG, 5.4 DRPG, 2.4 ORPG

Assists: Jalen Reece — 2.6 APG, 1 TOPG, 18.1 MPG

Last Five Games

Tennessee:

• 73-64 win versus Mississippi State
• 74-71 loss at Kentucky
• 84-66 win versus Ole Miss
• 77-69 win versus Auburn
• 86-85 win at Georgia (OT)

LSU:

• 91-62 loss versus Arkansas
• 83-71 loss versus Georgia
• 92-87 win at South Carolina (OT)
• 80-66 loss versus Mississippi State
• 85-81 loss at Arkansas

Prediction

LSU got off to a nice start in non conference play but has struggled badly since SEC play began. Over its last 10 games, LSU ranks 107th on Bart Torvik including 172nd on defense. The Tigers have not rebounded well in conference play and have also not forced many turnovers.

That’s a bad combination. If Tennessee takes care of the bal and just shoots average from the perimeter, this should be a good day for the Vols’ offense.

After a week away from home, I predict Tennessee to come out sharp and roll LSU.

Tennessee 84, LSU 65