Tennessee vs South Carolina Prediction 3/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a Tennessee vs South Carolina prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, March 3rd at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview

The Tennessee Volunteers are 20-9 (10-6) this season after they lost to Alabama by a score of 71-69 in their last game. Tennessee led 40-28 at halftime, but they were outscored 43-29 in the second half for the close loss. The Volunteers shot 38% from the field, 22% on three pointers, and 63% on free throws in the game. Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 26 points and seven assists, while JP Estrella added 12 points and six rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Tennessee lost to Missouri by a score of 73-69, but did beat Vanderbilt by a score of 69-65 before that. The Volunteers have scored 80.1 points per game with 43.0 rebounds and 17.0 assists per game, while they have allowed 69.2 points against per game this season. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is averaging 18.4 points and 5.4 assists per game, while JP Estrella is averaging 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Volunteers. Tennessee is shooting 46.5% from the field, 69.6% on free throws, and 34.3% on three pointers this season. 

South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 12-17 (3-13) this year after they lost to Georgia by a score of 87-68 in their last game. South Carolina trailed 48-35 at halftime and they only managed 33 points in the second half in the lopsided loss. The Gamecocks shot 37% from the field, 25% on three pointers, and 78% on free throws in the game. Meechie Johnson led South Carolina with 20 points and four assists, while Kobe Knox added 12 points and four rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, South Carolina lost to Kentucky by a score of 72-63, but did beat Mississippi State by a score of 97-89 before that. The Gamecocks have scored 75.9 points per game with 32.8 rebounds and 13.4 assists per game, while they have allowed 76.6 points against per game this season. Meechie Johnson is averaging 17.2 points and 4.3 assists per game, while Kobe Knox is averaging 10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Gamecocks. South Carolina is shooting 43.8% from the field, 78.9% on free throws, and 30.7% on three pointers this year. 

Why the South Carolina Gamecocks will win

• Tennessee has lost each of its last four road games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

• South Carolina has lost 20 of its last 21 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Tennessee has won 29 of its last 33 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• South Carolina has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Tennessee’s last 12 Tuesday road games against the Southeastern Conference have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Nine of the last 10 games between Tennessee and South Carolina have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.

Tennessee vs South Carolina Prediction 

Tennessee comes into this matchup on a two game losing streak and they will be without their leading scorer for this one. The Volunteers are shooting 46% from the field and they have scored fewer than 70 points in three straight. South Carolina is just 3-13 in SEC play and they have lost nine of their last ten games. The Gamecocks are shooting 44% from the field and they have scored fewer than 70 points in three of their last four. Take the under in this contest.

David Racey's Pick: Under 144.5