In what is set to be an intense matchup, the fourth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are looking for a win to avoid being swept by the 17th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks in their regular-season series. South Carolina had previously secured a 63-59 victory in Knoxville on Jan. 30. The Volunteers, coming off a 81-74 win against No. 14 Alabama, are on a six-game winning streak and are eager to clinch the SEC regular-season title. On the other hand, the Gamecocks, who have won 10 of their last 12 games, defeated No. 24 Florida 82-76 last Saturday.
The upcoming game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C. With Tennessee averaging 80.7 points per game compared to South Carolina’s 72.1, the Volunteers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest odds. The model simulations predict an exciting game with an over/under of 142 points.
Junior guard Zakai Zeigler and fifth-year senior Josiah-Jordan James have emerged as key players for Tennessee. Zeigler has delivered impressive performances in recent games, while James has been consistently strong throughout the season. On the South Carolina side, junior guard Meechie Johnson, who has been on a scoring spree, and senior forward B.J. Mack are expected to lead the team against the Volunteers.
The game is anticipated to be close, with SportsLine’s model predicting an Under on the total points. With both teams having strong performers, it will be a game to watch as Tennessee looks for redemption and South Carolina aims to solidify their spot in the SEC standings.
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