Tennessee basketball begins postseason play Thursday afternoon as the Vols face off against Auburn in the SEC Tournament. The Vols are looking to sure up their seeding while Auburn is fighting for its NCAA Tournament lives.
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. 24 Tennessee (22-10, 11-7 SEC) vs. Auburn (17-15, 7-11 SEC)
- Start Time: Approximately 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
- Location: Bridgestone Arena
- Watch: SEC Network. PxP: Karl Ravech, CC: Jimmy Dykes, Sideline: Alyssa Lang
- 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 -5.5 Auburn
- Over/under 149.5
- Tennessee -4 Auburn
- Over/under: 150
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):
*Nate Ament is questionable. Amari Evans is probable
Auburn (via last game):
Where They Land In The Rankings
Tennessee:
- AP Poll: No. 24
- Coaches Poll: NR
- KenPom: No. 16
- Bart Torvik: No. 13
- EvanMiya: No. 14
Auburn:
- AP Poll: NR
- Coaches Poll: NR
- KenPom: No. 37
- Bart Torvik: No. 42
- EvanMiya: No. 37
Team Stats (via KenPom)
Tennessee:
Auburn:
Stat Leaders
Tennessee
Points: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 18.0 PPG, 40.0 FG%, 33.2 3PT%
Rebounds: Nate Ament — 6.4 RPG, 4.7 DRPG, 1.7 ORPG
Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 5.6 APG, 2.3 TOPG, 34.3 MPG
Auburn
Points: Keyshawn Hall — 20.4 PPG, 45.3 FG%, 39.1 3PT%
Rebounds: Keyshawn Hall — 6.9 RPG, 5.0 DRPG, 1.9 ORPG
Assists: Tahaad Pettiford — 3.6 APG, 2.2 TOPG, 32.1 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee:
- 86-82 loss versus Vanderbilt
- 78-59 win at South Carolina
- 71-69 loss versus Alabama
- 73-69 loss at Missouri
- 69-65 win at Vanderbilt
Auburn:
- 79-61 win against Mississippi State (Nashville)
- 96-84 loss at Alabama
- 88-74 win versus LSU
- 85-79 loss versus Ole Miss
- 91-79 loss at Oklahoma
Prediction
This is a bit of a hard one to predict. Nate Ament is doing more and seems near a return to the court but it’s unclear if that will come against Auburn or at a later date. Then there’s an Auburn team that has struggled badly over the last month but also is extremely desperate for a win to cement its place in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the Vols’ recent struggles, I trust them to get the job done more than I do Auburn.
Tennessee 77, Auburn 70
More to follow: SEC tournament
