Tennessee basketball is set to host Rice in a non-conference matchup on Monday night at Thompson-Boling Arena, kicking off the next chapter in their season. The game has added intrigue as it marks a reunion between Tennessee’s head coach Rick Barnes and Rice’s head coach Rob Lanier, who previously served as an assistant under Barnes at both Texas and Tennessee.
The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network, with Mike Morgan handling play-by-play duties and Dane Bradshaw providing color commentary. Fans wishing to catch the action online can stream it via Watch ESPN, while the Vol Network will provide radio coverage featuring Mike Keith, Chris Lofton, and John Wilkerson.
In terms of betting odds, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Tennessee as a 26.5-point favorite over Rice, with an over/under set at 143.5 points. KenPom’s projections are slightly more conservative, estimating Tennessee as a 22-point favorite with an over/under of 142 points.
As for team rankings, Tennessee comes in at No. 20 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll, while they rank even higher—13th—on KenPom. In contrast, Rice has not made it into the AP or Coaches Poll this season, currently standing at No. 186 on KenPom.
Analyzing the stat leaders, Tennessee’s Nate Ament leads the team with an impressive 20 points per game and 8.7 rebounds. On the opposing side, Rice’s standout is Trae Broadnax, averaging 16.5 points per game with a notable shooting efficiency of 52.5% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range.
The familiarity between the teams will contribute to an interesting matchup. Both teams typically play at a slower pace, which suggests a potentially low-scoring contest. Given Rice’s proficiency from beyond the arc, there’s a possibility for competition; however, Tennessee’s strength in rebounding and defensive pressure should give them the upper hand. The prediction leans toward a Tennessee victory, with a final score estimated at 80-57, although it may fall short of covering the extensive spread.
As basketball fans look forward to this clash of coaching styles and strategic gameplay, it promises to be a showcase of talent and a chance for both teams to refine their approaches early in the season.