Sportsbook Promos
Louisiana vs Tennessee Basketball Prediction & Picks (March Madness 2023 First Round)
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 4 minutes
ncaab
Will a disappointing home stretch culminate in another early March Madness exit for Tennessee? They could be in for a tough test tonight in Orlando against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (9:40 pm ET, CBS).
The Vols were in the running for a high seed at one point in the seed, but an underwhelming finish consigned them to the fourth seed in the East Region, which sets them up with a challenge from the Sun Belt champions, who are in the Big Dance for the first time since 2014.
Will the Vols fend off the upset and advance to face either Duke or Oral Roberts on Saturday? Read on for our Louisiana vs Tennessee prediction, as well as our picks for tonight’s tilt at the Amway Center.
Looking for More March Madness Picks?
We will have March Madness predictions and picks for a number of games throughout the tournament, so keep an eye out for them.
And if you are interested in checking out picks for the games we don’t cover, there are a number of reputable sports handicapping services that we recommend.
One of those sources is Doc’s Sports, which has a great offer going right now.
Doc’s Sports offers a lot of free picks and content, but they also offer $60 worth of premium sports picks free for new premium signups.
Louisiana vs Tennessee Odds
Odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Spread
- Louisiana +10.5 (-102)
- Tennessee -10.5 (-120)
Over/Under
- Over 135.5 (-110)
- Under 135.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Louisiana +470
- Tennessee -670
What Will Brown Do for Louisiana?
The Sun Belt doesn’t get the same level of attention as some other mid-major conferences, but it was strong this year with six teams in the top 130 at KenPom. That is more than Conference USA Atlantic 10, and Missouri Valley, as many as the West Coast Conference, and one fewer than the American.
So, Louisiana (26-7) did well to emerge from the conference tournament in Pensacola, Florida with the automatic bid, which they secured with a 71-66 win over South Alabama.
But can the Ragin’ Cajuns make a serious bid for the upset against the Vols? Tennessee (23-10) will have its hands full with UL big man Jordan Brown (19.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG), who has five double-doubles in his last six games.
But the Ragin’ Cajuns certainly aren’t a one-man band. As a team, they average 78.0 PPG (38th in Division I), and they shoot 37.8% from three (22nd in D-I) and 48.4% overall from the field (15th in D-I).
Tennessee ranks second in college basketball in adjusted defensive efficiency, and the nation’s best three-point defense is a key reason for that.
But the Vols enter March Madness 5-7 SU and 4-8-0 ATS in their last 12 games, and they have been dealing with injury issue after injury issue.
In the penultimate game of the regular season, they lost guard Zakai Ziegler, a vital piece on both ends of the court, for the season with a torn ACL. They promptly gave up 79 points at Auburn in their regular season finale, then gave up the same number in their SEC Tournament quarterfinal loss to Missouri.
Louisiana vs Tennessee Prediction and Picks
Prediction for Louisiana vs Tennessee: Tennessee
Picks vs Louisiana vs Tennessee: Louisiana to cover (Best Value: +11.5 @ BetMGM) & Louisiana team total over 61.5 (Best Value: BetUS)
I won’t go as far as picking the upset, as I think the Vols will find a way to win. But I expect the Ragin’ Cajuns to make them work for it and push Tennessee for 40 minutes.
Where to Bet on Louisiana vs Tennessee
Here are four legal sports betting sites that we highly recommend and have reviewed, where you can bet on this year’s NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments, as well as the 2023 NIT.
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportsbooks/betonline/" margin="0"] 5/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/betonline/" margin="0"] $10 Cash Bonus with code "BNEWS" [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/betonline/" margin="0"] Sports, Casino, Poker & Racebook [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportsbooks/sportsbetting/" margin="0"] 4.4/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/sportsbetting/" margin="0"] Odds Open Very Early [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/sportsbetting/" margin="0"] Sports, Casino, Poker & Racebook [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportsbooks/bovada/" margin="0"] 4/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/bovada/" margin="0"] Very Fast Payout Times [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/bovada/" margin="0"] Sports, Casino, Poker & Racebook [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportbet-sportbook-casino-expert-review/" margin="0"] 5/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportbet-sportbook-casino-expert-review/" margin="0"] An exclusive VIP program [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportbet-sportbook-casino-expert-review/" margin="0"] Great use of graphics and user-friendly interface [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportbet-sportbook-casino-expert-review/" margin="0"] Multiple currencies supported [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportsbooks/betwhale/" margin="0"] 4.4/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/betwhale/" margin="0"] Best Deposit & Free Play Bonuses [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/betwhale/" margin="0"] Largest Selection of Sports & Games [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: star" class="font-weight-bold" background="#fff" color="#FB8500" text_color="#5C6571" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="12" url="/sportsbooks/mybookie/" margin="0"] 4.8/5 Review Rating [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/mybookie/" margin="0"] Free $10 Casino Chip with Sign-Up [/su_icon]
[su_icon icon="icon: check-circle" background="#F4F7FC" color="#2FBB9C" text_color="#1F2933" size="16" shape_size="4" radius="256" text_size="14" url="/sportsbooks/mybookie/" margin="0"] Industry-leading Welcome bonus! [/su_icon]
March is always a very popular time to bet on college basketball, and you can get in on the action at any of the top sports betting sites out there.
But these four books are all reputable names, and you can trust them with your betting funds.
Other March Madness Content at Betting News
If you’d like to check out our other March Madness betting content, here’s a rundown of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting.
We’re also doing a lot of NIT coverage, so check out that content as well.
- Auburn vs Iowa Prediction & Picks
- March Madness Bracket
- March Madness Odds
- Final Four Odds
- March Madness Sleepers
- March Madness Betting Trends & Stats to Know for 2023
- Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
- Best March Madness Betting Sites
- Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
- Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.
More NCAAB News on Betting News
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (11/14)
Nate Hornung
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (11/13)
Nate Hornung
Free Betting Picks