Tennessee vs South Carolina Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/6/24

The Tennessee Volunteers will head down to Columbia to face the South Carolina Gamecocks in SEC play this Wednesday from the Colonial Life Arena on ESPN2. Tennessee enters as 5-point road favorites, with the total sitting at 140. Stay tuned for our Tennessee vs South Carolina Prediction. 

Tennessee Volunteers Preview

Tennessee climbed to 23-6 after defeating Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 81-74. The Volunteers used a strong two-way effort versus the Tide, and they’ll seek a seventh straight win here in Columbia. Tennessee is scoring 80.7 points per game, on 45.5% shooting, while allowing 68.0 ppg, and they’re currently first in the SEC with a 13-3 record in league play. The Volunteers are 8-2 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 7-3 on the road this season. Tennessee will meet Kentucky after this one.

Tennessee Team Profile

• Senior guard Dalton Knecht scored 31 points in the February matchup with South Carolina, and he leads Tennessee in scoring (20.6), while grabbing 4.9 rpg.
• Junior forward Jonas Aidoo posted an 18-point double-double in the win over Texas A&M,  and he leads the Volunteers in rebounding (7.6), while chipping in 12.1 ppg.
• Long Island native Zakai Zeigler led the way with 18 points in the Alabama victory, and he’s first on the Vols in assists (5.8), while adding 11.4 ppg.  

South Carolina Gamecocks Preview

South Carolina improved to 24-5 after defeating Florida at home, 82-76. The Gamecocks used a great second half to tackle the Gators, and they’ll attempt to sweep the Volunteers this Wednesday. SC is scoring 72.1 points per game, on 44.1% shooting, while allowing 69.3 ppg, and they’re currently first in the SEC with a 13-3 record in league play. The Gamecocks are 8-2 over their last ten games, and they’re 14-2 in Columbia this season. 

South Carolina Team Notes

• Cleveland native Meechie Johnson poured in a game-high 25 points in the win over Florida,  and he leads South Carolina in scoring (14.2). 
• Wofford transfer B.J. Mack has scored 17 points or more in three of the last six games,and he’s up to 13.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg.  
• Former Minnesota guard Ta’lon Cooper approaches a triple-double in the A&M victory, and he leads SC in assists (4.4), while averaging 9.9 ppg. 
• Freshman forward Collin Murray-Boyles recorded a 15-point double-double against the Gators, and he leads the Gamecocks in rebounding (5.4), while adding 9.9 ppg.  

Tennessee vs South Carolina Trends

• Texas leads the current series, 96-68, but Baylor has won three of the previous five meetings.  
• TENN is 15-14 against the spread, with a 16-13 O/U record
• SC is 21-8 ATS, with a 14-15 over/under record.

Tennessee vs South Carolina Prediction

As a Duke fan, I’ve learned what both of these schools are capable of in March, and with first place in the SEC on the line, we could be in for a really strong effort from the hosts. South Carolina has passed nearly every test since a lopsided loss to Alabama back in January, so there’s a a chance they complete the regular season sweep of the Volunteers. Columbia can also be a tough place to play, and I like spotting South Carolina the points for this SEC battle.

Corey Ghee's Pick: South Carolina TO COVER