Posted on 1/22/2008 3:15:27 PM

Bet on NCAAB: Tennessee (- 5.5) vs. Kentucky (+ 5.5)

By D.S. Williamson

Another game that has all ready suffered an entire point change. After opening at Tennessee – 4.5 the line has gone up to Tennessee – 5.5. I understand this one as the Tennessee Volunteers have gone 4 and 2 against the spread in their last 6 games. The Kentucky Wildcats have gone 3 and 3 against the spread in their last 6 games.

Some other trends to help us sort this one out:

The Kentucky Wildcats are 4-9-1 against the spread in their last 14 games overall.

The Kentucky Wildcats are 1 and 6 against the spread in their last 7 games as an UNDERDOG.

The Tennessee Volunteers are 6-1-1 against the spread in their last 8 overall games.

The Tennessee Volunteers are 5 and 2 against the spread in their last 7 games versus a team from the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee is one of the better teams in the nation. They have a shot at winning the NCAA Championship this year. That means that they should shut down teams like the Kentucky Wildcats who just aren’t as good as advertised. Coach Billie Gilispie, who I still think will turn this program around, hasn’t been able to get the best out of his players since taking over in Kentucky.

Bruce Pearl has ultimate confidence in his players and his players have ultimate confidence in him. Because of that Tennessee is having what might turn out to be a memorable year while the Wildcats are having what no doubt will turn out to be a forgettable year.

I just hope that the folks in Lexington keep Gilispie around. He’s the right the guy. You just need to give him time.

As for this game, I do not see the Wildcats having much of a chance in keeping this one close. The Volunteers are ranked fifth in the nation. Kentucky just lost to Mississippi State and Florida straight-up. Now they have to host one of the best, maybe the best, team in the SEC Conference.

The Wildcats could get beat pretty bad in this one. I suspect that the line should do nothing but go up until tip-off. I’m guessing that by the time this game begins tonight, the Volunteers will be close to a 7 or 8 point favorite.
I still like them.

The BetUS college basketball betting line is Tennessee Volunteers – 5.5 against the spread versus the Kentucky Wildcats.

My money will be on Tennessee to cover tonight.

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