Kentucky vs Tennessee

Tennessee’s recent 3–2 stretch, paired with a perfect home mark in Knoxville, contrasts with Kentucky’s own 3–2 run that includes an emotional comeback at LSU but also underscores how volatile the Wildcats have been. With Kentucky losing primary ballhandler Jaland Lowe for the season and still missing high-upside forward Jayden Quaintance, while Tennessee’s only notable absence is depth forward Cade Phillips, the Volunteers are simply closer to full strength. Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament headline a balanced Vols attack that already handled Kentucky in last year’s postseason, and analytics favor Tennessee to win outright at home, though the steep -333 price limits value. I lean Tennessee on the moneyline at the quoted odds, but the heavy juice and Kentucky’s history of playing well in this building keep it in B-grade territory rather than an all-in spot. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:44. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401808181/kentucky-tennessee))

Kentucky’s offense, scoring just over 83 points per night, combined with Tennessee’s roughly 83-a-game attack and strong efficiency on both sides, sets the stage for a high-possession, up-tempo SEC showdown. Tennessee has leaned heavily to the Over this season, with a majority of its recent games clearing the number, and Kentucky’s backcourt reshuffle without Lowe has tended to push them toward a more free-flowing, guard-driven style that favors scoring rather than grinding. Key shot-makers like Otega Oweh, Malachi Moreno, Gillespie, and Ament give both teams multiple three-level threats, and even though last March’s meeting stayed in the low 140s, these current lineups are more offensively tilted. With the total sitting around 147.5 (Over -115, Under -105), I like the Over 147.5 at -115 for a B+ grade: the matchup supports points, and the market number still leaves a modest edge. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:44. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401808181/kentucky-tennessee))

Otega Oweh and Kentucky arrive off back-to-back wins, including that full-court miracle at LSU, and while they’re only 1–4 against the number in their last five, Tennessee isn’t much better at 2–3 ATS and has shown vulnerability in covering larger spreads. The Wildcats are down Lowe and Quaintance, but Mark Pope still rolls out plenty of length and shooting, and historically Kentucky has traveled well to Thompson-Boling, taking several of the recent meetings in Knoxville even when the Vols were ranked. Tennessee’s front line of Ament, Felix Okpara and Jaylen Carey, plus Gillespie’s shot creation, should still be enough to win the game outright, yet the combination of moderate recent form on both sides, the Vols’ occasional turnover issues, and Kentucky’s track record of keeping this rivalry tight makes +6.5 at around -108 attractive. I’ll grab Kentucky +6.5 for a B+ grade, expecting a Tennessee win but a single-digit margin. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 17/01/2026 09:44. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401808181/kentucky-tennessee))