The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, TN. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Tennessee is favored by 11 points on the spread with a moneyline of -575. The total is set at 134.5 points.
Here is my Georgia vs. Tennessee predictions and college basketball picks for January 15, 2025.
Georgia vs Tennessee Prediction
My Pick: Under 134.5 (Play to 131)
My Georgia vs Tennessee best bet is on the under, with the best odds currently available at Caesars. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Georgia vs Tennessee Odds
| Georgia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 134.5 -110o / -110u | +425 |
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 134.5 -110o / -110u | -575 |
- Georgia vs Tennessee spread: Tennessee -11
- Georgia vs Tennessee over/under: 134.5 points
- Georgia vs Tennessee moneyline: Tennessee -575, Georgia +425
- Georgia vs Tennessee best bet: Under 134.5 (Play to 131)
Spread
I have no play on the spread.
Moneyline
There's no value on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I like the under down to 131.
My Pick: Under 134.5 (Play to 131)
Georgia vs Tennessee College Basketball Betting Preview
Georgia Basketball
Will there be a potential letdown for Georgia, fresh off reaching a spot in the AP Poll for the first time in 11 years?
The Bulldogs don't have pressure on them, as the spread indicates a controlling win for Tennessee. That should make it easier to come into this one with a stress-free attitude.
The Bulldogs' renaissance coincides with gradual improvements on the defensive end. They rank 17th nationally in defensive efficiency — with a 19% turnover rate — and hold teams to 29% shooting from downtown.
One of the main reasons Georgia is elite defensively is length. Nobody in the Bulldogs' 10-man rotation is shorter than 6-foot-4, and that rotation has abundant talent.
Bench bigs Justin Abson and Somto Cyril help maintain strong athleticism and defense behind starters Asa Newell and RJ Godfrey.
Meanwhile, De'Shayne Montgomery and Dakota Leffew are two of the Bulldogs' top-four scorers and they come off the bench.
I'm buying Georgia improving offensively, but facing Tennessee isn't the ideal diet to get right. Coming in as the 73rd-most efficient offense in the country, per KenPom, leaves room for growth.
The main culprits for the struggles are turnovers and shooting.
I'm not surprised that Georgia is turnover-prone since Silas Demary Jr. is playing full-time point guard for the first time. Seeing him turn the ball over two or fewer times in five straight is huge for future improvement, though.
Tennessee Basketball
Tennessee had a shaky weekend on the road versus Florida and Texas. I've looked at fading the Vols recently, as I feel the market overpriced them a bit.
Rick Barnes discussed benching star guard Chaz Lanier late in the narrow win over Texas. The Vols' leading scorer is 6-of-27 from the field and 3-of-15 from 3 in his past two games, so perhaps the struggles led to hesitancy shooting the ball.
I'm expecting a big bounce back from Lanier.
In the Vols' loss to Florida last week, they scored 43 points with a ghastly 0.63 PPP. Despite the historically brutal offensive performance, Tennessee ranks 25th in KenPom's offensive efficiency.
I don't buy Tennessee's offense, though. It shoots from deep at a high rate, but Lanier is the lone shooter above 34% from 3, leaving it susceptible to low-scoring games.
The good news is that Tennessee is one of the best defensive teams in college basketball. Coach Barnes is a defensive technician. His teams typically flash tough on-ball pressure that leads to a ton of turnovers and perimeter jumpers, and this team fits the bill perfectly.
The turnovers come in droves, as they force them at a 20.4% rate. Also, opponents shoot 3s on 46% of their field goal attempts against Tennessee, but they convert on a minuscule 24% clip, the lowest in college hoops.
Georgia vs. Tennessee Betting Analysis
I love the under here. Quite frankly, the number sitting at 134 — compared to KenPom's projection of 129 — is a bit surprising.
I would've been okay with taking the under at anything better than 131, so I see value here. Both teams want to slow the game down — Tennessee is 322nd in adjusted tempo and Georgia is 222nd.
The two defenses are two of the best in the SEC, and neither offense is overly explosive.
I see this game finishing in the 60s, instead of either team reaching the 70s. That bodes well for the under.
