#6 Tennessee vs. #1 Michigan Picks and Predictions: Elite Eight
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Sat Mar 28, 2026, 8:37 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
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Rick Barnes has done it. He's led the Tennessee Volunteers to the Elite Eight for the third straight season, and he's done so against all odds. The No. 6 ranked Volunteers weren't supposed to get by the Iowa State Cyclones (or Virginia, for that matter) but they survived, advanced, and now face the top seed in the Midwest Region. The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines won't go down easy, as they have been rolling through anyone who stands in their way. Will Dusty May get back to the Final Four since leaving FAU? Find out below with our favorite picks.
Check out our March Madness Betting Guide to get in on all the action this month!
Best Bet: Yaxel Lendeborg Over 22.5 Points and Rebounds (-111) 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.
#6 Tennessee Volunteers vs. #1 Michigan Wolverines NCAA Basketball Insights
Can the Volunteers keep dancing all the way to the Final Four?
Although these teams were both in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas during feast week, they did not play each other. However they do have a couple common opponents. Tennessee lost to the Fighting Illini of Illinois directly after their midseason tournament in Sin City. They were 1.5 point favorites in Nashville against Brad Underwood's team, but lost by 13. They also split games with Alabama, winning by six as 4.5 underdogs in Tuscaloosa, but losing by two as 5.5 point favorites at home.
Michigan took down Illinois by 14 on the road, covering the 1.5 point spread with ease. And then just last night, the Wolverines beat the Crimson Tide by 13 as 9.5 point favorites on a neutral site in the Sweet 16. Both teams also smacked the Auburn Tigers. Not that it's worth mentioning, but just figured I'd remind you all that Auburn had no business being in the NCAA Tournament.
Nevertheless, Tennessee's front court does matchup well with Michigan's, but will it be enough to pull off yet another upset?
Matchup Information – Tennessee vs. Michigan – March 29
- Venue & Location: United Center (Chicago, IL)
- Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Tip Off: 2:15 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: CBS
Tennessee vs. Michigan Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of March 28, 2026 at 3:22 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 +7.5 (-114)
- Michigan -7.5 (-106)
Moneyline
- Tennessee +265
- Michigan -345
Total
- Over 146 (-110)
- Under 146 (-110)
#6 Tennessee vs. #1 Michigan NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Yaxel Lendeborg does it all for the Wolverines. Look for him to have a big game in the Elite Eight
Tennessee vs. Michigan Prediction: Michigan Wins and Covers, Over 146
Best Bet: Yaxel Lendeborg Over 22.5 Points and Rebounds (-111) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I think Michigan wins this game, but I am not willing to lay the points with them. I also think this game goes over, but again, not willing to take that bet. However, I'll be backing the Wolverines' stud transfer to show up when his team needs him the most. Back Yaxel Lendeborg over 22.5 points and rebounds with me in Chicago on Sunday.
He's cleared this line in points alone the past two games, going for 23 and 12 against Alabama and 25 and 6 against Saint Louis. Dating back to the Big Ten Championship, Lendeborg has gone over this number in three of his last four, and three straight where he's played at least 30 minutes. Overall this season, he's cleared in 17/37 contests, and has ended at 21 or 22 total PR in five other contests as well. Sure, there will be plenty of attention on him, but he'll be sure to leave his mark on this game.
To take it one step further, he averages about 30.3 minutes per game, but has been playing closer to 34.5 in his last 12 games. When he plays at least 30 minutes, Lendeborg has cleared in 13/20 games this season. I can only assume he will be on the court plenty, and even against the Volunteers' defense, he will be sure to put the ball in the hoop. One more point, he has seven double doubles this season and could easily add another on Sunday.
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Check Out the Other March Madness Content from Betting News
For college basketball bettors, March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Betting News, we have you covered for this festively fun season with expert picks throughout the tournament from Nate Hornung and Eddie Griffin, consensus picks for every March Madness game from the First Four to the Final Four, a rundown of the best March Madness betting sites, and more.
Also, through our streams and social media channels, you can get even more insight from Nate and other members of the Betting News team, as well as offer your own thoughts and tips for the tournament.
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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.
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