Tennessee vs. Oklahoma Prediction: Sooners Aim to Strengthen Their Resume with Upset Victory Over No. 4 Volunteers

Good afternoon, basketball fans! We’re in for an exciting college hoops showdown today as the Oklahoma Sooners host the Tennessee Volunteers in what promises to be a thrilling match. Oklahoma, on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament bubble, will look to make a statement against the fourth-ranked Volunteers, who are fighting for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Dance.

Can Tennessee’s renowned defense contain a high-scoring Sooners team averaging nearly 80 points per game? Will Oklahoma, led by freshman star point guard Jeremiah Fears, who is questionable due to injury, pull off a major upset and ignite a court-storming at the Lloyd Noble Center? Let’s break it down.

Betting Preview: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

The betting odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, are accurate as of Saturday, February 8, 2025:

• Spread: Tennessee -5, Oklahoma -4
• Money Line: Tennessee -218, Oklahoma +180
• Over/Under: 138.5 points
• Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
• Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
• Broadcast: ESPN

Oklahoma comes into this matchup with a 16-6 record, including a 3-6 mark in SEC play. They’ve covered 50% of the time this season but only 44% in conference games. However, they’ve been performing better lately, covering in four of their last five outings.

The Sooners are an up-tempo team, and 13 of their 22 games have hit the over, with 6 of 9 in SEC play reaching that mark. At home, 8 of 12 games have surpassed the point total.

On the other hand, Tennessee boasts a 19-4 record, with four losses all coming in SEC play. The Volunteers are 14-9 against the spread (ATS) this season, and they’ve covered 60% of the time when favored. Defensively dominant, Tennessee’s games often stay under the listed point total, with just 9 of their 23 games surpassing it. In SEC play, four of their 10 games have hit the over.

Power Rankings and Betting Insights

Surprisingly, the CSN Power Rankings have Oklahoma favored by -4, likely due to their home court advantage and four Quad 1 victories. In contrast, Tennessee is ranked much lower than their No. 4 spot in the AP Poll, sitting at No. 21 in the CSN rankings. Oklahoma comes in at No. 46 but still favored in this matchup.

Prediction: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

Tennessee has racked up seven Quad 1 wins, and another victory here would add to that impressive list. However, they’ll face a tough challenge in Norman, where the Sooners will be hungry for an upset, especially with Jeremiah Fears leading the charge.

Fears, averaging 15.9 points and 4.2 assists per game, has been a key factor in Oklahoma’s three conference victories. However, his status for the game is in question due to injury. If he can’t play, it could seriously impact the Sooners’ chances. Oklahoma will rely heavily on their leading scorer, 6’7″ senior Jalon Moore, who is averaging 17.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

As for Tennessee, they are led by Zakai Ziegler, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, who averages 12.7 points and 7.5 assists per game. Ziegler’s defensive presence will be crucial against a high-scoring Oklahoma team. Fifth-year senior Chaz Lanier has been a great addition for Tennessee, leading the team with 17.5 points per game, while Igor Milicic Jr., another senior, provides versatility on both ends of the floor.

With or without Fears, I predict this game will stay under the 138.5 point total. Tennessee’s defense and Ziegler’s pressure on Oklahoma’s ball handlers will likely keep the score lower than expected. While the Volunteers’ previous game saw an 85-81 finish, that’s more of an anomaly for them.

I also like Tennessee to cover the -5 spread. The Volunteers are the stronger team overall, and despite a potential upset-minded Oklahoma team, Tennessee’s depth and experience should carry them to a double-digit win.

Final Picks:

• Tennessee -5
• Under 138.5 points

Prediction: Tennessee 73, Oklahoma 62

Stay tuned for more updates as we head into this high-stakes matchup!