Wofford vs. Tennessee Prediction, Men's College Basketball Odds & Best Bets (11/3)

Fact checked at 6:48 AM ET, Nov 3, 2026

Odds as of 6:43 AM ET, Nov 3, 2026

No. 8 Tennessee opens its season against Wofford at 6:00 PM ET at Food City Center in Knoxville, on SEC Network. We think Tennessee's transfer-built roster has far more shot-makers than Wofford can guard, the Vols pull away and keep scoring, and the game lands in the 150s or higher. So we're on Tennessee -26.5 and the Over, two bets that need the same big Tennessee night.

This is the season opener for both teams, so the record is short. Tennessee has 13 new players and lost both exhibitions, 86-70 to Xavier and 103-64 at Duke. Exhibitions aren't results, but the coach's complaints afterward were rebounding and individual defense. Wofford went 19-13 last season and was picked third in the Southern Conference, and its top returning scorer, Chace Watley, averaged 9.7 points.

Wofford vs. Tennessee Predictions

• Pick #1: Tennessee -26.5 (-112)
• Pick #2: Over 154.5 (-115)

PICK #1: Tennessee -26.5 (-112)

The best guide to how Rick Barnes treats an overmatched visitor is what he did to them last season. Tennessee played seven home buy games and won five by 29 or more: 95-56 over Northern Kentucky, 99-66 over North Florida, 89-60 over Tennessee State, 94-52 over Gardner-Webb and 105-54 over South Carolina State. Rice lost by 25. Different players, same coach, and he kept his foot down.

This roster should find points more easily than that one did. Six of Tennessee's top seven incoming transfers led their old teams in scoring, and the top five averaged 17.1 points per game last season. Juke Harris was a preseason first-team All-SEC pick by the media.

Laying -112 means you need this to cover 52.8% of the time. Tennessee has 90% of the spread money on 78% of the bets.

Openers are the worry. Last season's, against Mercer, was the outlier of that group at 76-61, and this team lost both of its exhibitions. The frontcourt is thin with Jalen Washington ineligible, leaving Christian Fermin and Miles Rubin as the only players taller than 6-foot-9. Tyler Lundblade, returning from back surgery, is expected to play, and Terrence Hill Jr. (ankle) and Harris (back) have been practicing. If Hill or Harris sits, the margin gets harder to reach. And a number this big always leaves Wofford a back door through garbage-time baskets against the reserves.

PICK #2: Over 154.5 (-115)

If Tennessee runs away with this, it will do it with shooting. The Vols are the only team with four transfers who made 50 or more threes last season: Dai Dai Ames, Harris, Hill and Lundblade. That group can bury a Southern Conference team from deep.

Tennessee's own defense hasn't earned any trust yet. It gave up 86 to Xavier and 103 at Duke, Xavier pulled down 44 rebounds against it, and it is short on size inside. Wofford doesn't need a big night for this to go over if Tennessee holds up its end.

The -115 price implies 53.5%, and last season's defense-first Tennessee team went over this number in only three of those seven home buy games. A ragged shooting night from two new rosters would keep the total down. If Lundblade, Hill or Harris misses the game, Tennessee loses a big piece of its scoring.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.