Tennessee vs. Rutgers Odds, Picks, and Prediction, Monday, November 24, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Monday, the Tennessee Volunteers will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Players Era Festival, and we have you ready to go with our Tennessee vs. Rutgers prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is at 1:00 p.m. ET. Tennessee is a -15-point favorite, while the total is 143.5.
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Volunteers are facing their first Power-4 opponent
Tennessee (5-0 SU, 1-4 ATS, and 3-2 O/U) has played a soft non-conference schedule to this point, but has only covered once (as 27-point favorites against Northern Kentucky).
The Vols led 43-21 at the half in their last game against Tennessee State, shooting 44 percent from the field and holding the Tigers to 32 percent shooting, including 19 from three-point range. The Vols also knocked down 31 free throws, won the rebounding battle, and scored 24 points off TSU's 22 turnovers.
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UT is led by freshman forward Nate Ament, who scores 18.8 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting. He also averages 8.4 rebounds. A few other Vols to watch this season are guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie (16.6 PPG and 6.0 APG), forward J.P. Estrella (14.0 PPG and 6.8 RPG), and forward Felix Okpara (8.8 PPG and 6.4 RPG).
Tennessee scores 112.5 points per game (16th) on 50.2 percent shooting (46th), including 35.0 percent from beyond the arc (138th). Defensively, the Volunteers give up 77.3 points per game (173rd) on 34.0 percent shooting (8th), including 25.5 percent from three (25th). UT is ranked 14th in the country, with rankings of 40th in offensive efficiency and 5th in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
Tennessee Vols Injury Report:
- Estrella (bone bruise in knee) is out for a "couple of weeks," per Vols coach Rick Barnes.
- G Bishop Boswell (5.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG) is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.
Rutgers is coming off a letdown loss
Rutgers (4-1 SU, 1-4 ATS, and 3-2 O/U) has also played a soft non-con schedule, but was upset at home by Central Connecticut in its last game.
The Scarlet Knights lost a buy game on Friday night, a game they trailed by as many as 15 points and never led by more than four. They were outrebounded by the Blue Devils and allowed their opponents to shoot 43 percent from long range. RU scored just 54 points on 36 percent shooting, as it was held under 30 points in both halves.
Rutgers is led by sophomore forward Dylan Grant, who averages 16.6 points with 7.2 rebounds per game. A few other Knights to watch on Monday against Tennessee are guard Tariq Francis (14.4 PPG and 3.4 APG), forward Denis Badalau (9.8 PPG), and center Emmanuel Ogbole (6.6 PPG and 7.8 RPG).
Rutgers scores 92.8 points per game (101st) on 43.7 percent shooting (252nd), including 34.4 percent from beyond the arc (154th). Defensively, the Scarlet Knights allow 80.8 points per game (221st) on 37.9 percent shooting (43rd), including 34.7 percent from three (264th). RU is ranked 124th nationally, with rankings of 155th in offensive efficiency and 105th in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Injury Report:
- No significant injuries.
Tennessee vs. Rutgers Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Tennessee vs. Rutgers
- Vols -15 (4 Units)
Rutgers didn't overwhelm its mediocre competition in its first few games and was outplayed by Central Connecticut last game, losing outright. The Knights aren't talented enough offensively to not dominate on the defensive end, especially against a top SEC contender in Tennessee. The Knights were a stout defensive team a few seasons ago, but have lost their edge on that end of the court. They will struggle to keep the Vols out of the paint and off the free-throw line, as UT (55th nationally in 2PT%) will feast inside. Tennessee is also tough to score against in the paint (9th in opponent near-proximity percentage), and Rutgers isn't an elite three-point shooting team.
RU needed to show much more edge in its first few games to be confident enough to compete on Monday. Bet on UT to cover!
Over/Under Pick for Tennessee vs. Rutgers
- Under 143.5 (4 Units)
Rutgers was held under 60 points at home by Central Connecticut and won't fare much better in Vegas against a quality Tennessee defense. The Volunteers rank 20th in opponent two-point percentage and are just as dominant defending the three-ball. UT will also dominate on the glass (2nd in total rebounding). That said, Rutgers also takes good care of the basketball (10.4 turnovers per game) and is slow-tempo, averaging less than 70 possessions per game (296th in pace). That will keep the game from getting too high-scoring, even if the Vols put up a ton of first-half points on the scoreboard.
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