Robert Ferringo
3-Unit Play. Take #524 Tennessee (-11) over UNC-Asheville (12:30 p.m.)
This one is going to be a mismatch from start to finish. It is on a neutral court, but that is only going to magnify the difference in talent and ability between these teams. Tennessee "only" won its first game by nine points against Kennesaw State in the opener and that may have skewed this spread. The Vols were actually up 27 in that game and let their foot off the gas. They won't make that mistake here. Asheville actually lost in Knoxville by just four points last year. But this is a completely different team, and UNC-A lost its four best players. That doesn't matter, though, as that close call last year mans that Tennessee will not take this team for granted for a second. Asheville has just 25 of the 68 points scored in the meeting last year back, as four starters have moved on. The remains really lack any sort of depth or experience, and this team already lost to a really bad UNC-Wilmington team on the road. I don't think it is going to get any better here. Over 40 minutes the Vols' athletes will put on more pressure than the Asheville guards can handle. This one should be all Vols, who have the more athletic, experienced team and will feature better guard play.
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #524 Tennessee (-6) over UNC-Asheville (12:30 p.m.) AND Take #507 Illinois State (+10.5) over Drexel (7 p.m.)
3-Unit Play. Take #524 Tennessee (-11) over UNC-Asheville (12:30 p.m.)
This one is going to be a mismatch from start to finish. It is on a neutral court, but that is only going to magnify the difference in talent and ability between these teams. Tennessee "only" won its first game by nine points against Kennesaw State in the opener and that may have skewed this spread. The Vols were actually up 27 in that game and let their foot off the gas. They won't make that mistake here. Asheville actually lost in Knoxville by just four points last year. But this is a completely different team, and UNC-A lost its four best players. That doesn't matter, though, as that close call last year mans that Tennessee will not take this team for granted for a second. Asheville has just 25 of the 68 points scored in the meeting last year back, as four starters have moved on. The remains really lack any sort of depth or experience, and this team already lost to a really bad UNC-Wilmington team on the road. I don't think it is going to get any better here. Over 40 minutes the Vols' athletes will put on more pressure than the Asheville guards can handle. This one should be all Vols, who have the more athletic, experienced team and will feature better guard play.
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #524 Tennessee (-6) over UNC-Asheville (12:30 p.m.) AND Take #507 Illinois State (+10.5) over Drexel (7 p.m.)
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