Texas Longhorns (21-12) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (25-8)
The March Madness excitement continues as the Texas Longhorns take on the Tennessee Volunteers in what promises to be an electrifying Round 2 clash. With the Longhorns standing at a respectable 21-12 and the Volunteers boasting an impressive 25-8 record, this game is a pivotal matchup for both teams. Set to take place on Saturday, this game has caught the eye of top sportsbooks and basketball enthusiasts alike.
The Texas Longhorns have been surprisingly impressive , they managed to score up to 69.9 points per game with just 43.3 percent field goal percentage. The team’s offense involves a lot of three-point shots with an average of 6.4 per game made with a 34.9% probability. Apparently, the defense records 33.6 free throws on average.
Nevertheless, the Tennessee Volunteers are arriving with a considerably smaller team, average score of 67.9 points per game, however, they express signs of being a team of high defensive. To that point, they fight the opposition for a total of 35.2 rebounds in a game. This time, they prefer to apply their own shot that the three-points counter average with average shot of 24.2 and the shot of mortgaging 31.4 % much lower.
Texas Longhorns vs. Tennessee Volunteers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Spectrum Center |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Max Abmas (Guard) vs. Dalton Knecht (Guard)
Max Abmas, the Texas Longhorns guard is on a good run, having played 32 games this season at a rate of 35 minutes with 17.1 points scored per game and field goal accuracy of 43.2%. Abmas’ free throws (91.6%) combined with the range to his 3-point (36.8%) makes him a force to be reckoned with. Still, while he may have problems due to being under constant pressure of defense, he may then have fewer chances for scoring.
Thus, Volunteers might be thankful to Dalton Knecht for their current status, as their 21.1 points per game is the highest among all the team members. Beyond his virtue on offense, we cannot forget Knecht’s versatility. He has posted 4.7 rebounds and 39.7% 3-point shooting over 32 games. Although his strengths are scoring and versatility, it is the task of going through Texas that would test his strengths on defense and the pressure to perform in the playoffs.
While this matchup will undoubtedly be a showcase of their scoring talents, it will also be a test of their team leadership, skills to make the big shots, and ability to enhance their performance in such moments Every team has two leaders who contribute their unique skills to the team, Abmas is precise whereas Knecht takes care of most aspects. Their leadership will be evident in the tempo and outcome of the game.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Tennessee Volunteers -277, Total Odds: 147
The betting odds favor the Tennessee Volunteers, with a -277 moneyline and a spread of -6.5, reflecting their stronger season record and perceived advantage over Texas. The total of 147 points suggests an expectation of a relatively high-scoring game, aligning with Texas’ recent trends but contrasting with Tennessee’s more defensive playstyle.
Texas Longhorns Betting Trends
The recurrent tendency of the Longhorns to prefer high-scoring games and do better on defense while playing at home is clear in the recent team performance. In doing so they maximize their potential of outscoring their opponents which is mostly explained through their strong offense.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends
In-season, the Volunteers’ betting pattern indicates that they are a team that slightly under-performs against the spread, especially on the road. In contrast, the Longhorns tend to have the desire to play a high-scoring style of bball, and their last couple games were low scoring, which could be a challenge.
Texas Longhorns vs. Tennessee Volunteers 3/23/24 Betting Picks
Paying attention to the analysis and betting trends, it seems like it will be an offense vs. the defense.defense battle. The defense strategy of the Volunteers and their home court advantage could be decisive factors, but the scoring ability of the Longhorns should not be underestimated. This match is more likely to be a tight game than the odds suggest.
On the whole, Tennessee would be the better choice based on their all-around season record and defensive prowess. On the other hand, the smart money could find the OVER being a better bet, given that Texas traditionally plays high-scoring matches, and that pressure to deliver in March Madness may turn both teams’ attacks into high gear.
Punters can back the Volunteers for a straight win and the scores to go OVER the total points line, as historically a lot of March Madness games are very high scoring. These insights and March Madness free picks should help bettors find more edges in what is definitely an exciting round of college basketball.
