Miami (OH) vs Tennessee Prediction 3/20/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Miami Ohio Redhawks and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Friday in college basketball action from the XFinity Mobile Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Miami Ohio Redhawks vs. Tennessee Volunteers prediction.

Miami Ohio Redhawks Recap

The Miami Ohio Redhawks come into this one off of their 89-79 win over SMU last time out to punch their ticket to the round of 64.

Redhawks Looking For Another Upset Win

Brant Byers leads the Redhawks in scoring with 15 PPG along with 4.1 RPG while Evan Ipsaro has 13.9 PPG with 2.4 RPG and 3.3 APG. Almar Atlason has 10.7 PPG with 2.5 RPG and Peter Suder has 14.5 PPG with 4.7 RPG and 4.3 APG this season. Eian Elmer has 11.9 PPG with 5.9 RPG to lead the Redhawks in rebounding while Antoine Woolfolk has 10.2 PPG with 5.5 RPG, capping off the group of double-digit scorers for Miami Ohio so far this season. Luke Skaljac has 9.8 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 4.7 APG to lead the Redhawks in assists as well this season. As a team, Miami Ohio is averaging 92.6 PPG on 53.6% shooting from the field, 40.1% from three and 76.7% from the foul line this season.

Tennessee Volunteers Recap

The Tennessee Volunteers come into this game as the 6-seed, finishing the year with a record of 22-11 overall on the year, losing to Vanderbilt in the SEC conference tournament.

Volunteers Looking For Fifth Straight First Round Win

Ja’Kobi Gillespie leads the Vols in scoring and assists with 18.1 PPG and 5.4 APG while Nate Ament has 17.9 PPG with 6.5 RPG to lead the Vols in rebounding along with 2.5 APG to cap off the pair of double-digit scorers for Tennessee up to this point in the year. J.P. Estrella has 9.3 PPG with 5 RPG while Jaylen Carey has 7.5 PPG with 6.2 RPG of his own and Felix Okpara has 7.2 PPG with 5.8 RPG as well this season. As a team, Tennessee is averaging 80.5 PPG on 46.8% shooting from the field, 34.7% from three and 69.6% from the foul line this season.

Miami RedHawks @ Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends: March 20, 2026

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

• Tennessee has won each of its last six NCAA Tournament games against a lower seed.
• Miami (OH) has lost the first half in each of its last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Miami RedHawks will win

• Miami (OH) has won each of its last 13 games against non-Conference opponents.
• Tennessee has lost five of its last six day games as an AP-ranked team.
• Miami (OH) has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Twenty-seven of Tennessee’s last 29 games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
• Seven of Miami (OH)’s last eight games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Tennessee ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (59.2%).
• Tennessee is one of only four teams to reach the Elite 8 in each of its last two NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Miami (OH) ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (52.6%).
• Miami (OH) ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (64.8%).

Miami Ohio Redhawks vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction

I’m on Miami Ohio and the points here. I was initially on Tennessee, but I think there’s something to be said for Miami Ohio and the Redhawks playing with some confidence after the win over SMU. Miami looked fantastic against the Mustangs and while Tennessee will bring physicality that Miami Ohio isn’t used to from their time in the MAC, I still think the Redhawks can keep it close. Give me Miami Ohio and the points here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Miami Ohio +11.5