Two unlikely combatants will vie for a berth in the East Regional Final when No. 4-seeded Tennessee will square off against No. 9 Florida Atlantic in the Sweet 16 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
The Volunteers are back in the regional semis for the third time in nine tournaments after dominating No. 5-seeded Duke, 65-52, in the second round. Tennessee is allowing the third-fewest points per game (57.8) in the country and has given up just 107 points in its first two games.
The Owls have reached the regionals for the first time in school history and have won nine straight games. They claimed a pair of hard-fought, single-digit victories over No. 8 Memphis and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson to reach the Sweet 16.
Here’s a look at my Tennessee vs Florida Atlantic best bets.
Pat Pickens’ March Madness Betting Record: 8-11 (-5.5 units)
Tennessee vs FAU Odds
Note: CBB odds mentioned in this article for Tennessee vs Florida Atlantic were used from DraftKings Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted, and are current as of Monday, March 20, at noon ET.
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-240) • Florida Atlantic (+200)
- Spread: Tennessee -5 (-110) • FAU +5 (-110)
- Total: Over 131 (-110) • Under 131 (-110)
Tennessee vs FAU Pick of the Day
Keep reading for more Tennessee vs Florida Atlantic betting tips.
Tennessee vs FAU Prediction
Tennessee 65, FAU 59
This should be a game of contrasting styles. The Volunteers are 22-0 in games when they allow fewer than 60 points, but Florida Atlantic has scored 60-plus in 35 of its 36 games and 23 straight.
The Owls have the mettle to hang tough against the Vols — FAU was 1-1 against SEC opposition this season — but haven’t seen a defense this tenacious in a while. UT should have enough to persevere.
📈 Keep track of NCAA Tournament winner odds to find our best March Madness bets:
Tennessee vs FAU Best Bets
Under 131 Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Tennessee hasn’t topped 71 points in five straight games and is 3-10 in games in which it allows 60-plus points. If you think the Vols are going to win — and they absolutely should as the superior team — the Under is the top CBB pick of the day.
Click for the rest of our Tennessee vs Florida Atlantic betting picks:
Tennessee -5 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I am often anxious to lay points in a game in which I bet the Under since a comeback victory will then cause the Under not to hit. But in this instance, where Tennessee is clearly superior, I’m willing to do so.
The Volunteers eked out a three-point win against Louisiana but have covered five points in 21 of their 25 victories this season. Given the potential for end-of-game free throws, laying five points isn’t super-stressful, especially given the huge variance in odds — a -240 moneyline bet pays $0.42 per $1 bet and -110 pays $0.91 per dollar wagered.
