The SEC’s most potent offense meets its most suffocating defense tonight in Knoxville. A clash between the 2nd-ranked Alabama and 4th-ranked Tennessee in a few hours from now, making it an intense showdown between two top contenders of the SEC conference. While Tennessee would be looking to right a wrong after its loss against Missouri in its previous game, Nate Oats’ Alabama will look to take its winning streak to 8.
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A convincing victory over Mississippi State (100-75) would only add to the Crimson Tide’s growing confidence, and they can use that momentum to elevate their game even further against Tennessee. With the regular season winding down, securing wins now would be very important for both teams. So let’s dive in and take a look at how these two teams stack up against each other.
Tennessee vs Alabama: Where to watch
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee
What time: 6 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo
Tennessee vs Alabama: Injury Reports
Tennessee: Clarence Masamba and Cade Phillips
Alabama: Davion Hannah, Keitenn Bristow, Collins Onyejiaka, and Labaron Phillon (Probable)
Tennessee vs Alabama: Probable Lineups
Tennessee: Nate Ament, Felix Okpara, Jaylen Carey, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Bishop Boswell
Alabama: London Jemison, Amari Allen, Aiden Sherrell, Latrell Wrightsell, Aden Holloway
Prediction: Tennessee Heavy Favorites Heading Against Alabama
Polymarket is surprisingly putting the Tennessee Volunteers as the favorites going into this game. Tennessee has a 65% chance of winning while Alabama has a 35% chance of stealing a victory. Even though Alabama has a better record, it is believed that Tennessee won’t be easy to knock off back in their home court.
Moreover, Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s form is also another factor. The top scorer in the last two games, Gillespie is averaging 18.1 points per game and 2.9 rebounds with 5.4 assists, and 41.2 FG%. The Volunteers also boast a 14-1 record at home this season, which makes the Thompson-Boling Arena an impenetrable fortress.
Rick Barnes uses a strategic offense that is balanced and has a very solid defense in place that can make any team’s job difficult to score against them. But everyone knows that if anyone can find a way to win against them, it would be Alabama, which averaged nearly 100 points in February.
So we have got a game on our hands where anything can happen. If Alabama can somehow find its rhythm, it might pull an upset, but still, the odds are not in its favor. But like they say, it’s basketball, and the sport is as unpredictable as it gets, and a team can have a special moment that might totally turn the tide.