Alabama vs. Tennessee Betting Preview March 1

Tennessee opened as a -2 point favorite before jumping up to -4 versus Alabama.

The Volunteers have gone 14-1 at home. Tennessee ranks sixth in the SEC with 24.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Igor Milicic Jr. averaging 5.4.

The Crimson Tide have gone 12-3 against SEC opponents. Alabama scores 91.5 points while outscoring opponents by 11.4 points per game.

Tennessee makes 45.2% of its shots from the field this season, which is 3.4 percentage points higher than Alabama has allowed to its opponents (41.8%). Alabama averages 10.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 more made shots on average than the 7.2 per game Tennessee allows.

The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.

Chaz Lanier is scoring 17.8 points per game and averaging 3.9 rebounds for the Volunteers. Zakai Zeigler is averaging 14.6 points and 2.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Mark Sears is shooting 41.0% and averaging 19.0 points for the Crimson Tide. Aden Holloway is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

His total scoring over/under for this game was coming in at 17.5. Sears (undisclosed) is probable to play against Tennessee on Saturday and the oddsmakers are confident that he will, as can be seen by their willingness to offer the player performance props.

From Rotowire:

The extent of the injury is uncertain, but the fact that Sears is listed as probable suggests he should handle his regular workload as one of the Crimson Tide's primary offensive weapons. Sears, who's coming off a 21-point, 10-assist effort in the win over Mississippi State on Tuesday, is averaging 21.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game since the beginning of February.