Tennessee Gets a Big Ten Upgrade in Opposition

Someone's finally moving on to the Elite Eight tonight after a long wander in the wilderness.

• The Tennessee Volunteers last got that far in 2009, and
• The Purdue Boilermakers haven't been there since 2000.

They've even got recent memories of each other, with the Vols topping Purdue in overtime, 78-75, in the 2017 Battle for Atlantis:

 

Bovada has listed the line at Tennessee -1½, the total at 150½, and the moneyline at Purdue -125 and Tennessee -110.

Why bet on Purdue ...

The Boilermakers have been the real deal all season long. Dudes get a large portion of their scoring from downtown. Defensively, the Purdue ranks 52nd in opponent two-point percentage.

Carsen Edwards has the hot hand right now. After scoring 26 points in the first round win over Old Dominion, he exploded for 42 in the blowout of defending national champion Villanova. Dude's clearly the engine that makes the Boilermakers hum.

Mix in G Ryan Cline (12 points, 4 assists against Nova) and 7-3 C Matt Haarms (18 points, 9 rebounds), the Boilermakers have a solid leading trio.

 

Why bet on Tennessee ...

The team concept has served the Vols well in this year's Dance. Guards Jordan Bone, Lamonte Turner, and Admiral Schofield have each been in double figures in both games, while forwards Grant Williams and Kyle Alexander have been the main source of defense (30 rebounds, 6 blocked shots, 4 steals combined).

If they stick to this concept, and put extra emphasis on slowing down Edwards, Tennessee would have to like their chances.

 

Instant analysis ...

Tennessee is a decent team, but do the Vols have any shot against a Big Ten power like Purdue? Not really.

They ran out to a 25-point lead over Iowa only to get outscored, 43-22, in the second half. They needed overtime to beat the Hawkeyes.

Purdue won’t allow them to get out by 25 points. Hell, they won’t allow Tennessee to go into halftime with the lead. The Boilermakers dominated an excellent team in Villanova and will squash the Vols in this one.

ATS pick: Purdue +1½

Result: Purdue 99 Tennessee 94 ot ... Boilermakers cover

***

 

Well, to be accurate, read closely:

Enter to win our March Madness Bracket Contest! All you need to do is pick the most winners, with our point system giving more weight to later-round winners. This is a pool for players, if you get our drift.

As well, we'll have re-sets for each round. You'll never be out of it, so get in it to win it!