Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic: Sweet 16 Best Bets (2023 NCAA Tournament)
The Round of 16 is here, and it’s shaping up for a sweet weekend of college basketball. We’ll have you covered with our best bets throughout the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Let’s take a look at our top bets, picks, and predictions for Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic.
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Sweet 16 Best Bets: Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic
Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic
Game Picks
The Tennessee Volunteers surprised everyone on Saturday, earning a major victory over Duke without Zakai Ziegler. The Vols were physical and tough. The defense was admirable, and the offense hit shots that they normally don't hit.
If that's the Tennessee we're going to get the rest of the way, the Vols will be incredibly hard to beat.
Florida Atlantic had multiple droughts trying to score the ball against Fairleigh Dickinson. It's going to get ugly on the offensive end for the Owls against Tennessee. They won't be able to match the physicality with Tennessee.
Tennessee will foul at a high rate but Florida Atlantic also doesn't get to the foul line at a high rate. They've also shot 71.5%, which isn't a ridiculous number.
The Vols should have major success on the offensive glass and if shots are going to fall at a higher rate, I've got Tennessee earning a five-point cover.
The pick: Tennessee -5 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Picks
Leg 1 - Olivier Nkamhoua - Over 10.5 Points (-130)
The Volunteers’ attack thus far in the tournament has been led by Olivier Nkamhoua, who led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting in their win vs. Duke. While that was certainly an anomaly compared to the rest of his season, he should be able to eclipse half of that.
Leg 2 - Santiago Vescovi - Over 12.5 (-125)
While guard Santiago Vescovi recorded a game-high 12.7 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, in their game vs. Duke he averages 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Normally I’d call for regression, but Vescovi matches up well here against FAU and I expect him to get his.
Leg 3 - Tennessee -5 (-110)
As ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic made history by reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time, as coach Dusty May has this program playing as well as it ever has. In his post-game presser in round two, he threw out a playful jab at the tough style of play played by fourth-seeded Tennessee, which came under fire during the second round of the NCAA Tournament due to the excessive fouling of one player.
In a battle of philosophies, Tennessee and its tough defense will take on 3-point-shooting FAU on Thursday in the East Region semifinals. With 57.8 points per game allowed, the Volunteers (25-10) have the third-best scoring defense in Division I, and their 65-52 victory over fifth-seeded Duke in the second round proved just that as they forced 15 turnovers.
During the season, the Vols reached as high as No. 2 in the nation, but in addition to dealing with the departure of point guard Zakai Zeigler to an ACL injury, they lost six of their final ten games to end the season. While FAU (33-3) has won tournament games in just its second trip to the Big Dance, Tennessee is making its sixth Sweet 16 appearance since 2007 and second under Barnes.
Before surviving a tough opening weekend in Columbus, Ohio, the Owls won the C-USA championship. With two seconds left, Nicholas Boyd’s layup defeated Memphis, 66-65, and they next faced Fairleigh Dickinson, the second No. 16 seed to ever defeat a No. 1 seed.
With 12 minutes left, FAU was down 49-44 before pulling ahead. In the 78-70 triumph, Johnell Davis finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and five steals after making a vital steal and slam with seconds remaining.
Given its mid-major status and No. 9 seed, FAU is one of the few remaining Cinderellas which is a great storyline coming into this one. I do think that the fairytale ends here, however.
Parlay Odds: +400
Player Prop Bet Picks
Florida Atlantic
| Prop | Odds | Units | To Win | Book |
| Alijah Martin Over 4.5 Rebounds | -125 | 1.25 | 1 | MGM |
Tennessee
| Prop | Odds | Units | To Win | Book |
| Olivier Nkamhoua Under 18.5 PRAs | -110 | 1.1 | 1 | UB |
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