Tennessee vs Houston

Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Tennessee bring a six-game heater and fresh 85-60 demolition of Rutgers into this rematch with Houston, and with both teams confirmed at full rotation strength aside from Tennessee’s J.P. Estrella being out and Bishop Boswell limited, the plus-money underdog side looks more appealing than laying a juiced number on a Cougars group coming off an overtime war with Syracuse where Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp logged heavy minutes and left banged up. Houston’s defense smothered Tennessee 69-50 in last March’s Elite Eight, but the Vols’ revamped offense with Gillespie and Nate Ament has been far more explosive early, and on a neutral floor in Vegas with both riding matching 6-0 starts, the situational edge (rest, recent shooting form, and better price) tilts slightly toward a Tennessee moneyline sprinkle at +143. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 25/11/2025 11:12am

Houston’s veteran backcourt of Uzan and Sharp just combined for 52 in a 78-74 overtime win, and when you add Tennessee’s recent 85-point eruption behind Gillespie and Ament plus both teams riding undefeated streaks built on efficient early-season scoring, this total of 133.5 looks a touch light even accounting for their reputations as elite defenses. Estrella’s absence nudges Tennessee toward more four-out lineups that increase pace and perimeter volume, while Houston’s slight fatigue and minor knocks to Uzan and Sharp could soften their usual ball-pressure standard just enough to turn this into a whistle-heavy, mid-130s (or higher) game rather than a rock fight like last year’s 69-50 Elite Eight grinder. With both offenses currently outperforming the number and market totals inching upward elsewhere, the Over 133.5 at -110 is the preferred side. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 25/11/2025 11:12am

Nate Ament’s two-way versatility and Tennessee’s depth up front without Estrella give the Vols enough size and rebounding to trade blows with Chris Cenac Jr., Joseph Tugler and Houston’s front line, and when you fold in Tennessee’s six-game surge, Houston’s equally long unbeaten run built on several tight finishes, and the Elite Eight revenge angle, grabbing +3.5 feels like the smarter position than laying points with a Cougars team that has already needed late-game heroics in Vegas. Uzan and Sharp are still the best closers on the floor, but their heavy workloads and minor leg/ankle issues increase the chance this stays within one or two possessions either way, making Tennessee plus the number a higher-grade value than the moneyline while still aligning with a Vols-friendly script. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 25/11/2025 11:12am