Tennessee vs Houston: Betting odds, predictions, pick & promos
Alright, here we go: If you’re a fan of defensive basketball, strap in because it won’t get any better. The Houston Cougars last made it to the Elite 8 in 2022 and advanced to the Final 4, most recently in 2021. As for Tennessee, They made it to this round last year but have never advanced beyond the Elite 8. This is the third Elite 8 game to be played. It will occur at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 30. Best betting promos for Tennessee vs Houston Find the best promos from the best sportsbooks for the NCAA Finals. Learn more about betting on the tournament in the NCAA Finals betting and strategy guide. Tennessee (2) vs Houston (1) preview No. 1 Houston had a tough matchup in the Sweet 16, taking on Purdue. They were down 31-29 at halftime and came back in the second half, outscoring them 33-29. The game was tied at 60 with just one tick on the clock to go in the game before Houston’s Milos Uzan hit a layup to take the lead. B raden Smith put up a 3-point shot at the buzzer but missed it. The Cougars had a 37.7% field goal percentage and went 9 of 23 (39.1%) from 3-point range. No. 2 Tennessee took on Kentucky, a team they had last to twice earlier this season. Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, and Jordan Gainey combined for 51 of their 78 points. The team shot 50.9% from the field and just 26.3% from 3-point range. The Volunteers had a commanding 43-28 lead at halftime but did let some of that go as they were outscored 37-35 in the second half. Tennessee vs Houston odds Below are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Spread: Tennessee (+3.5, -110); Houston (-3.5, -110). Moneyline: Tennessee (+138); Houston (-166). Total: Over 123.5 (-110); Under 123.5 (-110) Get ready for the game with Fanduel’s amazing promo. Read more about the Fanduel Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets, and find out how you can claim your bonus bets. . Tennessee vs Houston analysis As mentioned, defense will be the focal point in this game. Houston allows an average of 88.0 points per 100 possessions (first), while Tennessee surrenders just 89.3 points per 100 possessions (third). Yes, both of these teams are in the top three in adjusted defensive efficiency. Offensively, they’re also close, but Houston, once again, has a slight edge. The Cougars average 123.4 points per 100 possessions (12th), while Tennessee is at 121.1 points per 100 possessions (17th). Not only that, but these teams both play at a snail’s pace, with Houston averaging 61.6 possessions per 40 minutes (360th) and Tennessee averaging just 63.7 possessions per 40 minutes (349th). Shooting-wise, Houston leads college basketball from 3-point range at 39.8%. At the same time, Tennessee holds teams to just 28.5% from 3-point range (third). That said, Tennessee is the better defensive rebounding unit, averaging 23.4 per outing to Houston’s 22.0. It may not seem like much, but getting even a few second-chance opportunities could be the difference in a game like this. Tennessee vs Houston pick For this one, I’m going with Houston. I respect Tennessee’s defense, but Houston’s is technically a bit better in the advanced analytics. Houston also shoots the 3-point shot extremely well, shooting 40.3% from there over their last three games. Yes, Tennessee has been excellent against it all season, but in the tournament, they’re allowing teams to shoot 37.5% from there, a 9% increase from their season-long statistic. Take Houston here. I expect a big game from Houston guard LJ Cryer, who shoots 42.4% from 3-point land and averages 7.1 attempts per game. Back Houston -3.5 (-110) at FanDuel Tennessee vs Houston game Info Who: Tennessee vs Houston Date: Sunday, March 30 Time: 2:20 p.m. ET Location: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN Where to watch: CBS About the author Richard Janvrin Richard Janvrin brings nearly a decade of experience covering sports, sports betting, and everything iGaming. Richard received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English from the University of New Hampshire. Throughout his career, Richard has written for sites like Bleacher Report, Forbes, The Game Day, WSN, Gambling.com, and many more. Find him on Twitter: @RichardJanvrin Commercial content notice: Taking one of the sportsbooks offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 21+. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler Responsible gambling Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedNational Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on
Alright, here we go: If you’re a fan of defensive basketball, strap in because it won’t get any better.
The Houston Cougars last made it to the Elite 8 in 2022 and advanced to the Final 4, most recently in 2021.
As for Tennessee, They made it to this round last year but have never advanced beyond the Elite 8.
This is the third Elite 8 game to be played. It will occur at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 30.
Best betting promos for Tennessee vs Houston
Find the best promos from the best sportsbooks for the NCAA Finals. Learn more about betting on the tournament in the NCAA Finals betting and strategy guide.
Tennessee (2) vs Houston (1) preview
No. 1 Houston had a tough matchup in the Sweet 16, taking on Purdue. They were down 31-29 at halftime and came back in the second half, outscoring them 33-29.
The game was tied at 60 with just one tick on the clock to go in the game before Houston’s Milos Uzan hit a layup to take the lead. B
raden Smith put up a 3-point shot at the buzzer but missed it. The Cougars had a 37.7% field goal percentage and went 9 of 23 (39.1%) from 3-point range.
No. 2 Tennessee took on Kentucky, a team they had last to twice earlier this season. Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, and Jordan Gainey combined for 51 of their 78 points.
The team shot 50.9% from the field and just 26.3% from 3-point range. The Volunteers had a commanding 43-28 lead at halftime but did let some of that go as they were outscored 37-35 in the second half.
Tennessee vs Houston odds
Below are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook.
- Spread: Tennessee (+3.5, -110); Houston (-3.5, -110).
- Moneyline: Tennessee (+138); Houston (-166).
- Total: Over 123.5 (-110); Under 123.5 (-110)
Get ready for the game with Fanduel’s amazing promo. Read more about the Fanduel Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets, and find out how you can claim your bonus bets. .
Tennessee vs Houston analysis
As mentioned, defense will be the focal point in this game. Houston allows an average of 88.0 points per 100 possessions (first), while Tennessee surrenders just 89.3 points per 100 possessions (third).
Yes, both of these teams are in the top three in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Offensively, they’re also close, but Houston, once again, has a slight edge. The Cougars average 123.4 points per 100 possessions (12th), while Tennessee is at 121.1 points per 100 possessions (17th).
Not only that, but these teams both play at a snail’s pace, with Houston averaging 61.6 possessions per 40 minutes (360th) and Tennessee averaging just 63.7 possessions per 40 minutes (349th).
Shooting-wise, Houston leads college basketball from 3-point range at 39.8%. At the same time, Tennessee holds teams to just 28.5% from 3-point range (third).
That said, Tennessee is the better defensive rebounding unit, averaging 23.4 per outing to Houston’s 22.0. It may not seem like much, but getting even a few second-chance opportunities could be the difference in a game like this.
Tennessee vs Houston pick
For this one, I’m going with Houston. I respect Tennessee’s defense, but Houston’s is technically a bit better in the advanced analytics. Houston also shoots the 3-point shot extremely well, shooting 40.3% from there over their last three games.
Yes, Tennessee has been excellent against it all season, but in the tournament, they’re allowing teams to shoot 37.5% from there, a 9% increase from their season-long statistic.
Take Houston here. I expect a big game from Houston guard LJ Cryer, who shoots 42.4% from 3-point land and averages 7.1 attempts per game.
