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Game Preview: Tennessee Volunteers @ Syracuse Orange
The Tennessee Volunteers visit the Syracuse Orange on Tuesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge following very different showings in Las Vegas. The Volunteers went 2-1 at the Players Era Championship, including a major win over No. 3 Houston. Syracuse, on the other hand, dropped all three games and faces questions regarding depth and injuries.
Tennessee enters at 7-1, ranked No. 17 nationally, and is looking to bounce back from an 81-76 loss to Kansas after leading by 12. Syracuse is 4-3 and struggling with offensive consistency, compounded by the uncertain status of their top scorer, Donnie Freeman.
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Odds and Key Information
| Line | Consensus Market |
|---|---|
| Spread | Tennessee -7.5 |
| Moneyline | Tennessee -320, Syracuse +245 |
| Total (Over/Under) | 146.5 |
| Game Time | 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, Dec. 2 |
| Venue | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY |
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Tennessee Outlook
The Volunteers have looked like a serious contender early this season, boasting wins over high-quality opponents and averaging 85.9 points per game. Their only loss came against Kansas after losing a double-digit lead, a game that coach Rick Barnes called a “learning opportunity.”
Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is the engine of the offense, scoring 18.5 points per game and playing with veteran composure. He’s complemented by freshman forward Nate Ament, who has impressed with 17.9 points per game and led the team with 20 against Kansas.
Tennessee’s defense allows just 65.4 points per contest and thrives on ball pressure and rebounding. The Vols’ physical style has worn down opponents and will pose problems for a shorthanded Syracuse squad.
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Syracuse Outlook
The Syracuse Orange are in a transitional phase under second-year head coach Adrian Autry. Their 4-3 record includes recent losses to Houston, Kansas, and Iowa State in Las Vegas. The Orange struggled in all three, particularly in a 31-point loss to Iowa State.
Top scorer Donnie Freeman (17.8 PPG) missed the entire trip with a foot injury and remains questionable for Tuesday. His absence has placed a greater scoring burden on freshman Kiyan Anthony (11.9 PPG), who has shown flashes but scored just 24 total points in the last three games.
Syracuse is averaging 74.9 points but has been inefficient against top-tier defenses. While their defense allows a respectable 65.3 PPG, they’ll need a much cleaner game to keep pace with Tennessee’s firepower.
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Key Matchup Table
| Category | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Offensive Efficiency | Tennessee |
| Defensive Pressure | Tennessee |
| Three-Point Shooting | Tennessee |
| Turnovers | Syracuse |
| Rebounding | Tennessee |
Without Freeman, Syracuse loses its offensive centerpiece. Tennessee’s defense and bench scoring are likely to overwhelm the Orange over 40 minutes.
Betting Trends
- Tennessee is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 non-conference games.
- The total has gone Under in 4 of Tennessee’s last 5 road games.
- Syracuse is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games against SEC teams.
- Syracuse is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 home games against ranked opponents.
- The total has gone Under in 5 of the last 7 Syracuse games vs Top 25 teams.
- Tennessee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games as a road favorite.
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Prediction
With Donnie Freeman’s availability uncertain, Syracuse enters this matchup outgunned. Tennessee has shown the ability to score from multiple spots and defend at a high level. Gillespie and Ament lead a balanced attack that should control both pace and possession.
If Freeman plays, Syracuse may keep this closer, but without him, the Orange will struggle to find enough offense. Tennessee’s depth, defense, and experience should be the deciding factors in what could become a double-digit win.
Projected Score: Tennessee 80, Syracuse 67
Spread Pick: Tennessee -7.5
Total Lean: Under 146.5
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