The Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators are two of six SEC teams that are 13-1 or better. They will meet in a tight conference matchup Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2) in Gainesville, Florida.
Tennessee is off to a 14-0 start for the first time since 1922-23.
The Volunteers are the only undefeated team in the nation.
Florida suffered its first loss in its last game, a 106-100 defeat to visiting Kentucky.
My prediction for the Tennessee vs Florida game: whether Tennessee can pass its second test as an underdog, as Florida is a 2.5-point home favorite with odds of 148.5 points.
My Pittsburgh vs Duke prediction with a slightly lower total and a bigger spread will help you find another high-scoring matchup that starts at the same time.
Best predictions for Tennessee vs Florida game
Basketball predictions based on odds from our top March Madness betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Against the Spread: Tennessee +2.5 vs. Florida (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My top pick: Walter Clayton under 17.5 points (-120 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tennessee - Florida ATS prediction
Tennessee will cover the spread: +2.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -105 via BetMGM | Estimated probability: 51.22%
Tennessee dominates
The Volunteers won their best start in program history, 14-0, and did it in dominating fashion.
They cruised to a 24-point victory over Arkansas - their seventh win over a ranked opponent - and conceded less than 47 minutes out of a possible 560 minutes. And 13 of Tennessee's 14 wins have come by a 13-point margin.
Confidence in the Volunteers on the road
Tennessee has only played one road game this season - beating Illinois by two points. But in that win, they showed all their determination. The Volunteers won despite attempting 36 free throws, holding the Fighting Illini to 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from beyond the arc.
The Volunteers are a veteran team that ranks in the top 20 in the nation in average D-I experience. Their ability to assist on shots from the field (59.6% - 42nd) and limit opponents from doing so (43.1% - 31st) is where they impose their will.
Florida's only win over opponents ranked in the top-55 by KenPom was a 9-6 win over North Carolina.
So, while the atmosphere in the Swamp should be tense, I need to see the Gators consistently beat the top teams before I back them against the No. 1 team in the country.
FanDuel has the odds on Tennessee one point lower at +1.5, while some of our other top sports betting apps have the Volunteers at -108 or higher to back them at +2.5. At BetMGM's -105 odds, a $10 win would be $19.52.
Tennessee vs Florida is the best pick
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Walter Clayton under 17.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -120 via Caesars | Estimated Odds: 54.55%
Clayton had scored 12 or fewer points in three straight games before scoring a season-high 33 points in a game against Kentucky over the weekend.
The Florida guard made six three-pointers on 12 attempts in the game against the Wildcats, but under Mark Pope, Kentucky is allowing a high shooting percentage with a compact defense.
Now he has a very different challenge on defense - Zachay Zeigler, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Zeigler will force Clayton to throw the ball on the floor more often than he'd like, and Tennessee's D-I leading three-point shooting percentage of 24.3% will significantly lower Clayton's scoring ceiling.
Live odds for the Tennessee vs. Florida matchup
See all of this week's college basketball odds and NCAAB odds.
Tennessee vs Florida: odds for the kickoff
Spread: Tennessee +2.5 (-105 via BetMGM) | Florida -2.5 (-115 via BetMGM)
Over/Under: Over 149.5 (-115 via BetMGM) | Under 149.5 (-105 via BetMGM)
Moneyline: Tennessee +125 | Florida -150
Tennessee vs. Florida matchup information
When: Tuesday, Jan. 7
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Stephen O'Connell Center (Gainesville, Fla.)
How to watch: ESPN2
Favorite: Florida -2.5 (-115 via BetMGM)
