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Tennessee at Texas: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•01/29/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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Andy Lyons via Getty Images.

Saturday night’s matchup between Tennessee and Texas is full of storylines. Here is how to watch, odds, and predictions for the highly anticipated matchup.

The game is part of the first day of the SEC/Big 12 challenge, and it will also serve as Rick Barnes’ return to Texas. Barnes previously spent 17 seasons at Texas before being fired in 2015 and amassed a 402-180 record. Tennessee then hired him, and he has coached the Vols to a 137-78 record.

How to watch Tennessee at Texas

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas

Channel: ESPN

Odds

The Vegas Insider Consensus odds list Texas as a 3.5-point favorite over Tennessee on Saturday night.

ESPN prediction

Predicted winner: Texas

Predicted point differential: 2.4

Win probability (for Texas): 59.9 percent

Matchup quality: 94.9

ESPN’s College Basketball Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN BPI has Tennessee at Texas as the second-highest rated game on Saturday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Texas 64, Tennessee 61

Win probability (for Texas): 61 percent

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. Like ESPN, KenPom projects that Texas comes away with a victory over Tennessee.

Tennessee, Texas both enter Saturday’s game on winning streaks

Tennessee is currently 14-5 on the season, including a 5-3 record against SEC opponents. The Vols have won four of their previous five games, including wins over South Carolina, Vanderbilt, LSU, and Florida. Tennessee’s last outing was on Wednesday against the Gators, with the Vols coming away with a 78-71 victory.

Texas is currently 15-5 on the season and 5-3 against Big 12 opponents. The Longhorns lost two straight earlier this month against Iowa State and Kansas State, but have now won two in a row with victories over Oklahoma State and TCU. Texas had no issues against TCU on Tuesday, winning 73-50.