Posted at 9:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Sunday, March 22

Tennessee -1 -110 over Virginia

Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA

6:10 PM EST. Tennessee showed exactly what it is in the first round—physical, disciplined, and relentless on defense. Miami walked into a wall. Every possession was contested, every rebound was fought for, and the game turned into a grind. That’s Tennessee basketball, and that style travels in March.

Virginia, on the other hand, didn’t look sharp.

Wright State got clean looks, moved the ball comfortably, and exposed cracks in a defense that’s supposed to be the foundation of the program. That’s a red flag. When Virginia’s defense slips, the margin disappears quickly because this is not a team built to win shootouts.

The narrative about Rick Barnes’ past tournament record is noise.

This Tennessee team is not those Tennessee teams. The roster is deeper, the frontcourt is stronger, and the defense ranks among the best in the country. They control the glass, protect the rim, and force opponents into difficult shots late in the clock. Virginia’s offense is methodical but limited, and against elite pressure, it can stall for long stretches.

This number sitting around a pick’em tells you the truth.

Oddsmakers see Tennessee as the better team right now. The Volunteers bring more physicality, more scoring balance, and more defensive resistance. In a tight tournament game where every possession matters, that edge becomes decisive.

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