The Tennessee Volunteers (2-1) face off against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (1-2) at Thompson-Boling Arena. Action gets underway at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday, Nov. 22 and can be seen on SEC and ES3.
The Volunteers were victorious over Marshall 84-74 on Thursday. Robert Hubbs III had 19 points, five rebounds, and two steals for Tennessee. The Runnin’ Bulldogs, meanwhile, are coming off a 125-79 win against Toccoa Falls on Thursday. Tyrell Nelson had a good performance and claimed his first double-double of the season, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Tennessee is a big 13-point favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is 151 points. The Volunteers come into this game 2-1 Straight Up (SU) and 1-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Volunteers have a distinct advantage on the boards in this matchup. They are the 43rd-ranked rebounding team in Division I, averaging 44.3 per game, while the Runnin’ Bulldogs rank 193rd in the nation with 37.7 per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Volunteers prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 22nd in the nation with a .239 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range. Expect Tennessee to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, who are one of the most foul-prone teams in the nation with an average of 24.7 fouls per game.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an impressive 9.0 steals per game.
This game marks the first time Tennessee and Gardner-Webb have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tenn, ATS Winner – Tenn, O/U – Over
Notes
Tennessee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home.
Gardner-Webb averages 82.0 points per game (ranked 94th). Tennessee, on the other hand, allows 73.7 points per game (ranked 217th).
Tennessee has an average field goal percentage of 41.7%. Gardner-Webb is an even 1-1 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the Tennessee Volunteers attempt 18.0 three point field goals per game and the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs attempt 21.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 three pointers, Tennessee is a perfect 1-0, while Gardner-Webb has a losing record of 1-2.
Tennessee, the 43rd-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 44.3 rebounds per game. Gardner-Webb does worse, ranked 193rd with 37.7.
Gardner-Webb ranks 123rd in offensive rebounds, while Tennessee ranks at 96th in defensive rebounds.
Tennessee has forced an average turnover percentage of 18.4% this season. Gardner-Webb has a losing 1-2 record when its TO% is 18.4% or higher.
