| MATCHUP | Kentucky Wildcats | Tennessee Volunteers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 11-6 | 12-5 |
| Spread | +6.5 -108 | -6.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +230 | -285 |
| Total | Over 146.5 (-112) | Under 146.5 (-108) |
| Where | Food City Center, Knoxville, TN | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN | |
The Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Here’s a Kentucky vs Tennessee prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Kentucky vs Tennessee pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
The Wildcats’ season kicked off with a 5-4 record over their first nine outings. The losses in that time came versus Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina and Gonzaga. Kentucky would go 5-2 over the next seven games, taking wins over North Carolina Central, Indiana, Saint John’s, Bellarmine and Mississippi State. In their first 16 games of the season that would give the Wildcats a 10-6 record.
In the LSU game on Wednesday Kentucky was in trouble with a 38-22 deficit in the locker room. The Wildcats woke up in the second half however, posting a 53-36 run the rest of the way for an excellent comeback win on the road 75-74. Otega Oweh led the team on his 21 points and four rebounds, while Denzel Aberdeen added 17 points with four assists and one rebound in 34 minutes of work.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Over on the Volunteers’ side, they were able to bag wins in each of their first seven outings this year. Tennessee would then hit a three-game losing streak in November/December versus Kansas, Syracuse and Illinois. Since then it’s been a 5-2 run with wins over Louisville, Gardner-Webb, South Carolina State, Texas and Texas A&M. Over 17 games this year that makes for a 12-5 run for the Volunteers.
Matched up against Texas A&M in the Tuesday game the Vols went into the second half with a four-point deficit. Tennessee was able to tie it up and force overtime, and after two extra periods the Volunteers had an 87-82 win. Leading the team in scoring was Nate Ament with 23 points and seven rebounds. Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 18 points with five assists and four rebounds in the winning effort as well.
Kentucky Wildcats @ Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 22 games at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Kentucky has lost three of its last four day games against Conference opponents.
- Kentucky has lost the first half in five of its last six games against Conference opponents.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win
- Kentucky has won each of its last four day games against Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
- Tennessee has lost each of its last three day games against the Southeastern Conference.
- Tennessee has lost the first half in each of its last four day games against the Southeastern Conference.
Kentucky vs Tennessee Prediction
I’ll probably stick with Tennessee. The Volunteers played a shaky double-overtime game at home versus Texas A&M this week but managed to get the win in the end. Tennessee shot just 37.3 percent from the field though, and had 16 turnovers with a tepid 25 percent (6-of-24) from 3-point range. The good news is that the Volunteers had a nice 55-30 rebounding edge and 10 steals in the win. Tennessee is just 2-2 in their last four games however, with a combined 177 points surrendered in the two losses.
As for Kentucky, they pulled off an excellent comeback win over LSU this week, logging 44.6 percent shooting from the field and just seven turnovers. The Wildcats gave up 48.9 percent shooting on defense though, and got out-rebounded 30-27. Still, Kentucky is looking pretty good right now with consecutive wins in the bag and a combined 167 points scored in those.