KenPom predicts outcome of next five Tennessee basketball games

Tennessee men’s basketball has won seven of its last eight games – including four straight – and is playing strong basketball heading down the stretch of the season. The Volunteers, who are currently ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, are coming off a 73-64 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday and have a marquee SEC matchup coming in Tuesday night in Knoxville.

Fresh off its win against Vanderbilt, Tennessee will look to remain hot – but it’ll be facing another team that’s had plenty of success throughout the 2021-22 season: No. 4 ranked Kentucky. As the Volunteers and Wildcats are set to tipoff at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, Tennessee has a 55.9% chance to win, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index. While ESPN has Tennessee winning, analytical network KenPom.com predicts Kentucky to leave Knoxville with a 71-70 victory – giving the Volunteers a 48% chance to win at home.

In terms of KenPom, Tennessee’s next five games have been predicted – and with the exception of the Kentucky game, the numbers are in favor of the Volunteers. Here’s a look at how KenPom sees Rick Barnes’ club matching up in their next five outings, beginning Tuesday vs. Kentucky.

KenPom’s predictions for Tennessee’s next five games

1.) vs. Kentucky, Tuesday, Feb 15: The Volunteers are predicted to lose 71-70, with a 48% chance to win.

2.) at Arkansas, Saturday, Feb. 19: The Volunteers are predicted to win 70-69, with a 55% chance.

3.) at Missouri, Tuesday, Feb. 22: The Volunteers are predicted to win 72-62, with a 83% chance.

4.) vs. Auburn, Saturday, Feb. 26: The Volunteers are predicted to win 70-69, with a 56% chance.

5.) at Georgia, Tuesday, March 1: The Volunteers are predicted to win 80-65, with a 91% chance.

If KenPom’s predictions are correct, Tennessee will have an overall record of 22-7 with a 13-4 mark in SEC play heading into its final league game against Arkansas on Saturday, March 5. The tipoff time and broadcast information for that matchup is TBD.

College basketball, NCAA Tournament bubble watch

ESPN broke down how the bubble situation looks heading into another week of games. Here’s a look at the SEC.

SEC

Locks: Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee

Should be in: Alabama, LSU, Arkansas

Work to do: Florida, Mississippi State

If any team in the SEC has an opportunity to close out the season with a bang, it will be the Florida Gators. Auburn, Arkansas, and Kentucky all remain on the schedule and all take place in Gainesville. The Gators are 6-6 in the conference alongside Alabama and LSU with five conference games remaining. The SEC tournament is set to be one of the most brutal in the country.