Tennessee Volunteers @ Kentucky Wildcats Free Basketball Picks

Tennessee Volunteers @ Kentucky Wildcats Free Basketball Picks: Yes, Kentucky gets two of my 3 games this week. I just love the match-up with a Tennessee team that will be playing their first game with Bruce Pearl back at the helm after his 8-game SEC suspension. The Vols can play with anyone, and for better or worse, they usually do. In this case, it’s for the better. Expect a close game despite the unranked Vols going into Kentucky to play the 11th ranked Wildcats.

I think Tennessee has the talent to play with the Wildcats, and since Kentucky plays mostly through two freshman, I think the Volunteers have the advantage with their set of upper classmen. Sure, the Vols have struggled lately, but they step up for big games, they have their head coach back in the mix, and here as we approach the second half of February, it becomes winning time.

It might come down to if Scotty Hopson can play. His ankle has been bothering him, and he’s a huge piece of the puzzle for the Vols. In the last game against Alabama, without Hopson, the Vols really struggled to score the basketball, shooting just 35% in an overtime loss.

But like I said, coach is back on the sidelines for the first time in SEC play. For those that think a coach only matters when he’s screwing things up for his team, you’re wrong. Pearl has quite the presence, and I think that raises the Vols up to another level.

I like their tenacity and physicality against this young Kentucky team. The 9 points are also nice.

Tennessee Volunteers @ #11 Kentucky Wildcats (2/8) (ESPN)

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