Tennessee vs Wisconsin Odds, Picks and Predictions: Rounded Offenses Thrive

After each logging impressive warmup wins to open their respective seasons, Friday brings an early non-conference size-up between the Tennessee Volunteers and Wisconsin Badgers.

The ninth-ranked Vols will make the trek to Madison and the Kohl Center, where they's booked as 2.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds.

The Badgers have never hosted a Top-10 opponent in November, but this has the makings of a good matchup, without any shortage of buckets. Read on below for my Tennessee vs. Wisconsin free college basketball picks and best bet for November 10.

Tennessee vs Wisconsin best odds

Tennessee vs Wisconsin picks and predictions

The Vols should be keen to get back to March Madness, with a real shot at making more noise after last season’s that went 25-11 and reached the Sweet 16.

Tennessee, the preseason favorite to win the tough Southeastern Conference, may have lost Julian Phillips to the NBA, but they are getting point guard Zakai Zeigler back from an ACL tear.

Zeigler was the Volunteers’ leading assist man a year ago before his knee injury. He’ll be eased into the lineup, as evidenced by his 12 minutes of gametime as the Vols whipped Tennessee State 80-42. 

Transfer Dalton Knecht led UT in scoring with 17 points, adding three rebounds, while fellow transfer Jordan Gainey dropped 14 with three boards and three dimes in a reserve role. Senior Josiah-Jordan James filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block, while hitting 4-for-5 from downtown.

The Vols put this one to bed early, using a 23-6 burst to blow things open, a lead that would swell to 41-12 by half, essentially turning the game into extended garbage time.

Tennessee did it on both ends, shooting 46% from the field, including 12-for-30 from distance, a 40% clip, while limiting Tennessee Tech to 27.5% shooting overall, and just 2-for-12 from 3-point range while forcing 15 turnovers.

This is a team that ranked first in KenPom’s adjusted defensive metric, but don’t let that deter you from targeting this total.

Wisconsin is coming off a 105-76 clubbing of the Arkansas State Red Wolves. That’s an encouraging start for a team that was among the lowest-scoring teams in the nation a year ago. Wisconsin put up just 65.3 points per game, which ranked a lowly 331st in the NCAA. A sluggish offense limited the Badgers a year ago, and while they did finish 20-15, Wisconsin didn’t get an invite to the NCAA Tournament. 

Of the four players that return from last year’s team, three of them are starters, including guard Chucky Hepburn, who led the way against Arkansas State with 20 points, six assists, and three dimes. AJ Storr, a 6’7” guard transfer from St. John's, chipped in with 15 points, while Max Klesmit’s 14 gave the Badgers three starters break double figures. 

As a team, Wisconsin shot 65% from the field, including a crisp 6-for-12 from distance. Continuity on offense should help the Badgers keep up with Tennessee. Their suspect defense? That should ensure both teams clear the 131.5 scoring total with ease. 

That, and offenses that don’t rely on one dominant threat. Tennessee’s bench poured in 36 points in their season opener, while the Badgers’ reserves pumped in 39 against Arkansas State.

My best bet: Over 131.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Tennessee vs Wisconsin same-game parlay

Over 131.5

Wisconsin halftime lead/Tennessee win

+900 at DraftKings

So, you’ve got the Over, how about another bet to turn this into a single-game parlay and power those odds up to +900?

What about taking a stab at Wisconsin leading at half but Tennessee prevailing?

The Badgers consistently win at home, posting at least 11 wins every season since 1997-98. The bettor in me wants to believe an amped-up home crowd can matter here. 

Despite blasting Tennessee State in the first 20 minutes, the Volunteers weren’t exactly front runners a season ago, taking a lead into halftime just four times in 10 regular-season road games.

However, this team has too much Top-10 talent to lose in Madison, even against a tough Badgers squad.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Tennessee vs Wisconsin spread and Over/Under analysis

Leading into this matchup, oddsmakers have had Tennessee as the betting favorite for the duration, but there’s been some variance. Just yesterday, you could have found the Vols anywhere from -1 to -3 favorites, but most have met in the middle at 1.5 points.

Tennessee was just 18-18-0 against the spread a season ago. Wisconsin checked in at 15-18-2 ATS.

As for the total, the high mark seen on Thursday went as high as 134.5 and as low as 130.5. Depending on which side of the betting fence you’re sitting on, make sure to check the books and get the number that works best for you.

As of writing on early Friday morning, DraftKings has the total at 131.5, a point less than FanDuel, which is a point less than Caesars at 133.5.

Tennessee vs Wisconsin State betting trend to know

Both teams had winning records against the spread in non-conference games last year. Wisconsin was 8-5-1 ATS, while Tennessee was 9-7-0 ATS. Find more college basketball betting trends for Tennessee vs Wisconsin.

Tennessee vs Wisconsin game info

Tennessee vs Wisconsin key injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic