Mercer (14-19) vs Tennessee (30-8)
November 3, 2025 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Tennessee -27.5 — Over/Under: +143.5
The Mercer Bears and Tennessee Volunteers meet Monday in the college basketball action at the Food City Center. Here’s a Mercer vs Tennessee Prediction. This article will include a Mercer vs Tennessee Pick.
Mercer Bears Betting Preview
The Mercer Bears have won no less than 14 games in each of the last 6 years but haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since the 2013-14 season. Mercer hasn’t won single-digit games since the 2005-06 season.
Brady Shoulders returns after averaging 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, while Alex Koch averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. TJ Grant played in 155 minutes last season. Those are the only three returning players for Mercer, which creates major question marks this season and raises the probability of being a bottom tier team in the Southern. There’s decent guard play on this Mercer roster, but everything else gets murky after that.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off a 30-win season and enter the 11th year under coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee hopes this is the season it finally gets over the hump and wins the national title.
Felix Okpara returns after averaging 7.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, while J.P. Estrella averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds. Cade Phillips averaged 3.5 rebounds and Grant Hurst played in 10 minutes last season. The Vols lost a lot of notable names, but it does bring in Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season. There’s also a talented recruiting class coming in, including Nate Ament, who was one of the best players in the 2025 class. Ament will be one of the best players in the country this season, which gives the Vols a chance to win the SEC and push for another deep run come March.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 36 games against non-Conference opponents at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
- Mercer has lost each of its last eight night games against the Southeastern Conference.
- Mercer has lost the first half in six of its last seven night games against non-Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Tennessee’s last four games have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
- Five of Mercer’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 139 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Tennessee is one of only four teams to reach the Elite 8 in each of its last two NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Tennessee ranked 4th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage last season (28.7%).
- Mercer ranked 20th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game last season (39.3).
- Mercer ranked 36th among Division 1 teams for steals per game last season (8.4).
Mercer vs Tennessee Injury Report
Mercer doesn’t have a player listed on its injury report. Clarence Massamba is questionable for Tennessee with a hamstring injury.
Mercer vs Tennessee Prediction
Thick number, but Tennessee is comfortably the better team from a talent standpoint, and that should be enough. Mercer lacks talent and lacks returning production, which impacts the chemistry. Tennessee enters the year as a top-20 squad and should be able to hit the ground running. If Mercer goes cold early, this game has a chance to get ugly. There’s a clear gap in talent. Give me Tennessee in a blowout at home.