Tennessee basketball is set to play against Louisville in a much-anticipated matchup. This game marks a crucial test for the Volunteers as they look to break a three-game losing streak. The Vols will host Louisville at home, under rare circumstances as they enter the game as underdogs—a position they have not found themselves in since February 2020.
Tennessee’s Underdog Status
According to DKSportsbook, Louisville is favored by 1.5 points. If this line remains, it will conclude Tennessee’s 86-game streak as home favorites. In those games, they achieved an impressive record of 76 wins and 10 losses.
Previous Home Underdog Performance
The Volunteers’ last encounter as home underdogs resulted in a victory against Florida, where they won 63-58. John Fulkerson led the scoring in that game with 22 points, while the Gators were slight favorites by one point.
Current State of the Teams
Tennessee is struggling with recent losses, having dropped three consecutive games. Their defeats include a close game against Kansas, a loss to Syracuse in the ACC-SEC Challenge, and a setback against Illinois. While the losses to Kansas and Illinois can be understood given both teams’ performances, the loss to Syracuse stands out as a low point.
- Loss against Kansas
- Loss against Syracuse
- Loss against Illinois
A four-game losing streak would mark a historic first for head coach Rick Barnes since his initial season with the Vols.
Upcoming Challenge Against Louisville
Louisville enters the game with a strong 9-1 season record, having achieved notable victories over teams like Kentucky, Cincinnati, Indiana, and Memphis. Their last game saw them convincingly defeat Memphis by a score of 99-73.
Offensive Prowess
Louisville boasts the second-best offense in the nation, according to KenPom’s metrics. The team is anchored by top players:
- Ryan Conwell
- Mikel Brown Jr
- Isaac McKneely
Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. Fans can watch the game on ESPN, with coverage provided by Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes.
