Wofford vs. Tennessee March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 15 vs. No. 2 matchup in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region, the Wofford Terriers face the Tennessee Volunteers in first-round action.
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How to Watch Wofford vs. Tennessee
When: 6:50 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 20th
Where: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
Watch: TNT
Odds for Wofford vs. Tennessee
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Tennessee -19.5 (-110), Wofford +19.5 (-110)
Total: Over 133.5 (-110), Under 133.5 (-110)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Wofford vs. Tennessee Matchup Page
Wofford vs. Tennessee Preview & Prediction
Tennessee enters the NCAA Tournament with high expectations, aiming to build on last year’s Elite Eight appearance and continue its pattern of progressively deeper runs under Rick Barnes. The Volunteers remain a defensive powerhouse, ranking among the nation’s elite in KenPom and Bart Torvik’s metrics, but their offensive efficiency, particularly in half-court sets, remains a concern.
They are playing at a much slower pace this season, ranking in the 330s in adjusted tempo, which has led to a more refined rotation but also highlighted their reliance on 3-point shooting—despite being just average from deep. Their 11-8 record in Quadrant 1 games proves they can handle high-level competition, but offensive inconsistency has cost them against strong opponents. While they shouldn’t be in danger early, the road to another deep run won’t be easy.
Wofford, the No. 6 seed in the SoCon Tournament, got hot at the right time to secure its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2019. Unlike that 30-win team led by Fletcher Magee, this year’s Terriers aren’t as lethal from 3, shooting just 34.5% from deep in Division I games. However, they still attempt 3s at one of the highest rates in the country, and their slow pace could make things interesting if they catch fire. They force opponents into perimeter shots and excel at rebounding on both ends, but their lack of athleticism and size compared to power-conference teams could be a major issue.
Facing a Tennessee defense that leads the nation in 3-point percentage defense, Wofford will need to shoot at an absurdly high clip to have any chance of an upset. While Rick Barnes’ teams have been prone to occasional early tournament stumbles, this matchup appears to heavily favor the Vols in what should be a low-possession game.
Estimated Score: Tennessee 77, Wofford 58
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