Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Tennessee Volunteers

Mississippi State was projected 10th in the SEC preseason poll. They got off to a great start with a soft schedule but are now on a 1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS run. They were a 5-point favorite at home over No. 6 Kentucky but lost, 95-90, and then went to No. 1 Auburn and got crushed, 88-66. They also lost to Butler earlier in the season, 87-77, as an 8.5-point favorite. The defense is 13th in the 16-team SEC on points surrendered and shooting allowed, plus 15th at defending beyond the arc (.350). Tennessee is 10-0 at home and is No. 1 defensively in the conference in points (58.8 per game), shooting (.364), and 3-point shooting allowed. The Vols have wins over No. 13 Baylor (77-62), No. 23 Arkansas (76-52), and No. 23 Georgia (74-56). Play Tennessee. 

Quartefinals SEC action from Nashville, Tennessee. Mississippi State has a losing conference record (8-10) and struggled all season away from home (2-8). They're 10th in the 14-team conference in 3-point shooting (32.8%) and last from the free-throw line (67.1%). Mississippi State is on a 1-4 SU/ATS run and had to play yesterday, knocking off LSU, 70-760. They're 13-23 ATS against teams that attempt 21+ treys per game, plus 2-11 ATS in March games. Tennessee is fifth in the conference in scoring (80.2 points per game) and working on five days of rest. The Vols are 91-63 ATS when revenging a road loss to an opponent, as well as 7-0 ATS after allowing 80+ points. Play Tennessee. 

Tennessee has won two of its three road games this season and is in bounce-back mode after a loss to Kentucky, 63-56. The Vols lead the SEC in scoring defense (57.0 ppg), field-goal percentage (.504), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.49). Tennessee is also tops in the nation in field-goal shooting defense (.335) and 3-point defense holding nine opponents to 50 points or less. Mississippi State has lost four of its five SEC games. The team shoots just 40.9% from the field, 28.8% from long range, and a woeful 61.1% from the charity stripe. Tennessee has won eight of the last nine meetings including a sweep last season by scores of 72-63 and 72-59. The wagering value is on the visitors to win the game. Play Tennessee on the moneyline.