Michigan vs Tennessee: Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/19/22)

Michigan vs Tennessee Betting Odds

Michigan squeaked into the tournament after a lackluster season, only to win its first-round game. The Wolverines needed a second-half firestorm to do it, and a little bit of bad luck for the Rams. But they survived and advanced.

Meanwhile, Tennessee had one of the best shooting nights in its history in the first-round win over Longwood. The Vols are looking dangerous.

But are the Vols due for a regression game after the big win?

Michigan Wolverines Odds

The Wolverines had a huge size advantage on the interior with Hunter Dickinson against the undersized Rams. He went for 21 points and six rebounds.

Again, the Wolverines will have an advantage in this game.

Outside of 7-foot Uros Plavsic, the Vols’ biggest player is 6-foot-9 John Fulkerson.

So, look for the Michigan offense to run through him again. Especially with point guard Devante’ Jones potentially injured. That’s going to put the scoring load entirely on the 7-foot-tall shoulders of Dickinson.

That’ll be tough because while Tennessee is undersize, their interior defense is tough and swarming. And the perimeter defense can take advantage of the backup point guard if Jones is out.

Tennessee Volunteers Odds

The Tennessee defense is second nationally in efficiency and top-25 in both effective field goal percentage allowed. The Vols are aggressive as well as being good at contesting shots.

Meanwhile, the offense is reinvigorated underneath Kennedy Chandler. The freshman point guard is the playmaker Rick Barnes needed. He snuck up to top-50 nationally in assist rate.

He finds forward/wing Fulkerson a lot, as well as sharpshooter Santiago Vescovi. Vescovi shoots 40% from 3, hitting six of them in an 18-point effort against Longwood.

Tennessee should get tons of opportunities on offense against a weak Michigan defense.

But can Tennessee step up at the right time? The Vols are just 8-18 ATS in the tournament underneath coach Barnes.

Michigan vs Tennessee Prediction and Pick

My pick: Tennessee -5.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

Tennessee has advantages on both ends of the floor. And they should be able to contain Dickinson using a conglomerate of bodies.

The key will be on the glass, where Tennessee is a bit weak on the defensive side. But Tennessee is strong on the offensive glass, and the Vols can take advantage in that area.

I think Tennessee rolls in this one.

March Madness Bracket