Saturday’s contest features the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (9-0) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-2) clashing at State Farm Center in what is expected to be a tight matchup, with a projected 74-72 win for Tennessee according to our computer prediction. Tipoff is at 5:30 PM ET on December 14.

Based on our computer prediction, Illinois is projected to cover the point spread (3.5) against Tennessee. The two teams are expected to come in below the 147.5 total.

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Tennessee vs. Illinois Game Info & Odds

• Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
• Time: 5:30 PM ET
• TV: FOX
• Live stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
• Where: Champaign, Illinois
• Venue: State Farm Center
• Line: Tennessee -3.5
• Point total: 147.5
• Moneyline (to win): Tennessee -154, Illinois +128

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Tennessee vs. Illinois Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Tennessee 74, Illinois 72

Spread & Total Prediction for Tennessee vs. Illinois

• Pick ATS: Illinois (+3.5)
• Pick OU: Under (147.5)

Tennessee has a 7-2-0 record against the spread so far this season compared to Illinois, who is 5-4-0 ATS. Both the Volunteers and the Fighting Illini are 4-5-0 in terms of hitting the over in their games this season. The two teams score an average of 168.6 points per game, 21.1 more points than this matchup’s total.

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Tennessee Performance Insights

• The Volunteers have a +227 scoring differential, topping opponents by 25.2 points per game. They’re putting up 82.4 points per game to rank 50th in college basketball and are allowing 57.2 per contest to rank fourth in college basketball.
• Tennessee wins the rebound battle by 12 boards on average. It collects 35.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 73rd in college basketball, while its opponents grab 23.6 per outing.
• Tennessee connects on 9.2 three-pointers per game (77th in college basketball) while shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc (46th in college basketball). It is making 2.0 more threes per outing than its opponents, who drain 7.2 per game while shooting 26.5%.
• The Volunteers average 110.3 points per 100 possessions on offense (sixth in college basketball), and give up 76.5 points per 100 possessions (fourth in college basketball).
• Tennessee has had fewer turnovers than its opponents this season, committing 11.1 per game (135th in college basketball play) while forcing 12.8 (139th in college basketball).

Illinois Performance Insights

• The Fighting Illini have a +196 scoring differential, topping opponents by 21.8 points per game. They’re putting up 86.2 points per game, 17th in college basketball, and are allowing 64.4 per contest to rank 38th in college basketball.
• Illinois wins the rebound battle by 13.8 boards on average. It collects 43.1 rebounds per game, first in college basketball, while its opponents grab 29.3.
• Illinois connects on 11.3 three-pointers per game (eighth-most in college basketball), 5.5 more than its opponents. It shoots 33.6% from beyond the arc (194th in college basketball), and its opponents are shooting 26.5%.
• Illinois has committed 10.6 turnovers per game (98th in college basketball) while forcing 10.1 (312th in college basketball).

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