Tennessee vs Kansas

Tennessee's seven-game unbeaten start, including statement neutral-site wins over Rutgers and No. 3 Houston, stacks up well against a Kansas group that is 5-2 but only now riding a two-game upswing in Las Vegas, making the Vols an attractive underdog at +185. With the Jayhawks still without elite freshman scorer Darryn Peterson (hamstring), likely missing wing Jayden Dawson (wrist), and redshirting guard Corbin Allen while Tennessee lists no key absences, the health and depth edge clearly favors Rick Barnes’ side. Ja'Kobi Gillespie’s 19.6 points and 5.4 assists per game, Nate Ament’s efficient scoring, and a pronounced Volunteer advantage in shooting percentage, rebounding and overall scoring margin against a Kansas team leaning heavily on Flory Bidunga and Tre White nudge this matchup slightly toward Tennessee despite the Jayhawks’ 5–3 all-time series lead and 2023 win in this pairing. That combination of current form, roster stability and matchup-driven edges at plus money makes Tennessee (+185) the Moneyline play with an A- grade for both value and likelihood. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 11:10am

Kansas' current two-game win streak in the Players Era event has come via slower, defense-first efforts, and when you pair that with Tennessee’s seven-game undefeated run built on allowing just over 63 points per night and elite opponent field-goal defense, this neutral-site matchup in Las Vegas profiles more like a grind than a shootout. The Jayhawks’ backcourt injuries—Peterson sidelined and Dawson doubtful—shorten Bill Self’s rotation and should further depress tempo and shot creation, while Tennessee is coming off a bruising, whistle-heavy win over Houston on short rest, a spot that often drags efficiency down for both offenses. With both teams holding opponents in the mid-30s from the field and primary scorers like Gillespie, Ament, Bidunga and White all facing plus defenders and detailed scouting, it’s reasonable to expect neither side to fully reach its season scoring averages in a third high-intensity game in as many days. That pushes me to the Under 139.5 (-110) with a B grade, acknowledging that end-game fouling or an outlier three-point stretch still adds volatility around this total. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 11:10am

Ja'Kobi Gillespie’s late-game composure throughout Tennessee’s seven-game win streak, especially in sealing the Houston win at the line, suggests the Vols are well-equipped to handle another tight neutral-floor contest against a Kansas squad that has also won two straight but is still trying to navigate around depth issues. With Peterson ruled out, Dawson likely sidelined or limited by a wrist injury, and Allen redshirting, the Jayhawks’ perimeter rotation is thin compared to a healthy Tennessee backcourt, forcing KU to lean heavily on a smaller core over three intense games in Vegas. Key matchup pieces like Ament and J.P. Estrella on the glass versus Bidunga, combined with Tennessee’s clear edge in rebounding rate, assist rate and overall scoring margin, make it less likely the Vols are run off the floor even if Kansas finds pockets of offensive success through Tre White and interior touches. Getting all of those advantages plus a 4.5-point cushion at -110 gives Tennessee +4.5 an A-grade spread play, offering strong value relative to how competitive these teams have been across the tournament. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/11/2025 11:10am