Texas vs Tennessee: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | March 14, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Published: Fri Mar 14, 2025, 12:55 pm ET
Read Time: 3 minutes
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This is not about the full game. It is about Texas' first-half team total and how Tennessee's defense will dictate the pace. With the Volunteers' elite defense and slow tempo, Texas will struggle early.
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#13 Texas vs #4 Tennessee Odds
Can Texas keep its momentum and get past Tennessee?
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Spread
Texas: +9.5 (-105)
Tennessee: -9.5 (-115)
Total
Over: 136 (-115)
Under: 136 (-105)
Moneyline
Texas: +410
Tennessee: -515
#13 Texas vs #4 Tennessee Best Bet
Forget the points. Forget the entire game. The goal here is to get in and get out.
Texas first-half team total is the focus.
Tennessee has started March in typical Rick Barnes fashion—0-3 against the spread. Now, as nearly double-digit favorites, I want no part of backing them. However, the Volunteers have one of the best defenses in the country while playing at one of the slowest paces.
In road-neutral settings, Tennessee has the second-best defense, ranking first in both eFG% defense and three-point defense. They are also top 25 in two-point defense and block percentage. On the road this season, they have allowed just 28.5 first-half points.
On the other side, Texas has been averaging 34.5 first-half points on the road, clearing 29.5 in their last three games. But they have not faced a defense like Tennessee's. Despite winning three of their last four, the Longhorns have struggled inside, ranking 298th over their last ten games. Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State do not bring the same suffocating defense that Tennessee does.
This game will be slow. Tennessee ranks 349th in pace, per Haslametrics. Texas has been strong in first halves during the SEC Tournament, but against a superior defense, expect them to look sluggish.
First-half team total under. Get in, get out.
Best Bet: Texas First Half Team Total Under 29.5 (-120) on BetOnline
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd and has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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