Oregon St. vs. Tennessee Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
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Nik Kowalski
It’s almost too good of a storyline for a 5 versus 12 matchup, a sweet spot for upsets. It’s the reality the fifth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (18-8) and 12th-seeded Oregon State Beavers (17-12) face Friday afternoon.
Tip-off at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is 4:30 p.m. EST.
Oregon State vs. Tennessee NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Currently 6-1 over their last seven and 10-1 ATS over their last 11, the Beavers are playing great basketball. It’s led to a Pac-12 title and presumably a serious chip on their shoulders, being ranked a 12-seed and all. The Volunteers were oh so close to making this a battle of conference champions, but instead blew a 14-point second half lead to Alabama in the SEC semi-final.
And if you like taking overs, history is on your side. All six of Oregon State’s last six games have gone over the total, as have all seven of their last seven games in March. Ten of Tennessee’s last 12 appearances in March have gone over too. The magic number Friday: 132. Tennessee’s also a 7.5-point favourite, according to oddsmakers.
(12) Oregon St. Beavers
The Beavers don’t pack a big punch, but Wayne Tinkle’s club is getting hot at the right time. While the only hit 43.5 per cent of their shots from the field and 35.3 percent of attempts from three on the season, they hit 50 per cent or better from deep in three of their last five contests.
Fourth-year guard Ethan Thompson is their go-to guy on offence, leading the club with 15.3 points and 3.9 assists per game. Sophomore guard Jarod Lucas was the only other double-digit scorer on the Beavers this season, scoring at least 10 in his final seven games down the stretch.
(5) Tennessee Volunteers
The aforementioned NBA prospects on the Volunteers are freshmen Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer, and senior Yves Pons. Springer led the Vols with just 12.5 points per game but shot 47 per cent from the field and just under 45 per cent from deep. Pons contributed all around for Tennessee, posting 8.9 points per game along with 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a night.
John Fulkerson is another name to keep an eye on after the senior forward missing Saturday’s SEC semi-final with a facial injury that required surgery. Fulkerson’s status for Friday is still unclear, and his 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game would be tough to replace at this point.
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