Tennessee basketball opened as 3.5-point underdogs in its Elite Eight matchup against Houston according to the FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 123.5. Analytical based college basketball website KenPom predicts the Cougars to earn a 63-61 win.
The Vols are currently listed as a point underdog.
The Vols are 20-17 against the spread this season and 2-1 in the NCAA Tournament after failing to cover against Wofford and covering against both UCLA and Kentucky. The over has hit in 15 Tennessee games this season while the under has hit 21 times.
Houston is 18-18 against this spread this season and 1-2 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament after coverign against SIEU in the first round and failing to cover against both Gonzaga and Purdue. The over has hit in 14 Houston games this season while the under has hit 22 times.
Tennessee is back in the Elite Eight for the second straight season after routing Kentucky 78-65 in the Sweet 16 on Friday night. The Vols jumped out to a double digit lead midway through the first half and never looked back against their border rival.
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Offensively, the backcourt trio of Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier and Jordan Gainey continued to drive the bus. They combined for 51 points while Zeigler record an 18-point, 10-assist double-double. But the Vols made their hay with defense and toughness. Jahmai Mashack was stellar on the defensive end, locking up Koby Brea and recording five steals.
Rick Barnes’ 10th Tennessee team controlled the glass against Kentucky, earning 34-24 rebounding advantage on a 50% offensive rebounding rate.
Houston is back in the Elite Eight for the third time since COVID. The Cougars made it to the Final Four in 2021 and is looking to make it back. The Cougars advanced to the Midwest Region Final by knocking off Purdue 62-60 on a game winner with less than a second to play.
Kelvin Sampson has built Houston into one of the nation’s best programs and that’s the case again this season. After going 4-3 in a rocky November, Houston has won 29 of its last 30 games.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Houston is at 2:20 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday. Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas and Evan Washburn are on the call for CBS.
