#21 Tennessee vs. Florida Picks and Predictions: Vols in the Swamp

Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Fri Jan 09, 2026, 5:40 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes

ncaab
Rick Barnes leads his No. 21 ranked Tennessee Volunteers into Gainesville this Saturday to face Todd Golden and the defending National Champion Florida Gators. The hosts certainly have not looked like the team that cut down the nets last April, as they currently sit unranked at 10-5 on the season. The Volunteers are just a game better at 11-4 as both are 1-1 in SEC play so far. Who picks up a second win in conference play while giving their opponent a second loss? Let's find out with our favorite picks.
Best Bet: Thomas Haugh (FLA) Over 18.5 Points (-122) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#21 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators NCAA Basketball Insights

Nate Ament has been playing very well for the Volunteers this season
Let's look at who these teams have beaten and who they have lost to. Tennessee started off the year with seven straight wins, but lost back to back to back games to Kansas in the Player's Era Festival consolation match, then to Syracuse on the road in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and finally to Illinois in a Music City Showdown. Two games ago, Tennessee lost to Arkansas on the road as well. However, the Vols beat Houston and Louisville, although the Cardinals were missing their leading scorer.
As for the Gators, they lost to Arizona to start the year, and a few games later to TCU. Florida's other losses came against No. 4 Duke on the road (by one as nine points underdogs), and to UConn by four in Madison Square Garden, covering the +4.5 by the hook. They lost their SEC opener to Missouri on the road by two, but followed it up with a win over No. 18 Georgia, their only ranked win of the year so far. Can they get another one on Saturday?
Matchup Information – Tennessee vs. Florida – January 10
- Venue & Location: Stephen O'Connell Center (Gainesville, FL)
- Date: Saturday, January 10, 2025
- Kick Off: 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Tennessee vs. Florida Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of January 9, 2025 at 5:06 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Tennessee +4.5 (-110)
- Florida -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Tennessee +176
- Florida -210
Total
- Over 153.5 (-110)
- Under 153.5 (-110)
Florida was nearly a 10 point favorite at home against No. 18 ranked Georgia last game, and they covered. Now, once again, they find themselves checking the boxes of everyone's favorite system play: The Unranked Home Favorite against a Ranked Opponent. Will this play cash for the general public this weekend?
#21 Tennessee vs. Florida NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Back Thomas Haugh to put the ball in the hoop against Tennessee this Saturday
Tennessee vs. Florida Prediction: Florida Wins and Covers, Under 153.5
Best Bet: Thomas Haugh (FLA) Over 18.5 Points (-122) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
While I do think Florida wins and covers, I'll stick with this player prop. Thomas Haugh has become the go-to guy for the Gators as he leads them in scoring with 17.5 points per game this year. Sure, we need a couple more than average in this matchup, but Florida loves to run, giving themselves more possessions, and Haugh shows out against good teams.
He also leads the Gators in minutes, averaging over 33 per game, and he's a volume shooter. Haugh has taken double digit field goal attempts in 11 of 15 games this year, including three straight. This kid played 36 minutes against Georgia, 37 against UConn, 38 against Mizzou and all 40 against Duke. He is on the court in big games when his team needs him, and he's usually shooting the rock.
Haugh has cleared 19 points in two straight, and seven games this year, ending with 16, 17 (twice) and 18 on four other occasions. But look at what's he's done against top teams.
Thomas Haugh Points vs. Top Opponents
- vs. Arizona: 27 points
- vs. Florida State: 20 points
- vs. Miami: 17 points
- vs. TCU: 20 points
- vs. Duke: 24 points
- vs. UConn: 18 points
- vs. Mizzou: 24 points
- vs. Georgia: 21 points
This guy scores in big games, his team knows this, and I expect him to have another big game this weekend. If Haugh plays 30 minutes, he's cleared this line in 7/11 games, and he should be on the court plenty this weekend.
Still Didn't Get Your NCAA Basketball Fix?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well, and follow my personal twitter @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.
- Transfer Portal Update
- 2025-2026 NCAA Basketball Preview
- SEC Basketball Preview
- Big 12 Conference Picks
- Big Ten Conference Predictions
- ACC Basketball Preview
More NCAAB News
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Expands March Madness Tournament to 76 Teams Beginning in 2027
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Transfer Portal Update: Portal Entries and New Signings
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Coaching Changes: Where Are They Now?
NCAAB Betting News
#2 UConn vs. #1 Michigan Picks and Predictions: National Championship
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.