As the 2019-20 men’s college basketball season gets underway, many legal sportsbooks have provided the option of betting futures. College basketball betting lines are in agreement that the ceiling is high on both the Tigers and Volunteers this season.
Legal sportsbooks that might eventually operate in Tennessee have the Tigers among the best teams in the nation. For the Volunteers, the outlook is quite similar.
College basketball betting guide to Memphis in 2019-20
If freshman center James Wiseman lives up to the hype, the Tigers will appear wise for having recruited him. The ceiling on him is as high as that on Memphis if he can produce.
This team goes deeper than Wiseman, though. Forward Precious Achiuwa also figures to be one of the best players in the American Athletic Conference.
If anything slows down the squad of second-year head coach Penny Hardaway, it might be inexperience. The roster contains only one upperclassman and could see five freshmen starting.
That young core may have to win the AAC in order to get a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Anything less than victories as far as both the regular season and conference tournament titles go could result in disappointment for those with high hopes for Memphis.
Tennessee Volunteer fans will also be disappointed if their team doesn’t make a run at SEC titles. They appear to have the potential to do so.
Wagering outlook on Tennessee for 2019-20
Tennessee’s potential to claim an SEC regular-season crown depends on progression. That is very true of senior guard Lamonte Turner.
His defensive prowess is undisputed, but the Volunteers might need him to improve on his 11 points-per-game average from 2018-19. Tennessee said goodbye to two of the best players in the history of its program over the offseason, so they’ll need some players to step up.
A talented SEC is another obstacle for the Vols. Kentucky again belongs in the national title contender conversation but could see challenges from Auburn and Florida.
Tennessee should be good enough to finish in the top half of the SEC. Sportsbooks expect the Volunteers’ experienced roster to produce a solid season.
Win totals and other futures on the Tigers and Vols
DraftKings, among other books that may someday take part in Tennessee legal sports betting, has posted win totals. That includes both Memphis and Tennessee.
DraftKings has the Tigers at 23.5 wins for 2019-20. The same book pegs the Volunteers at 20.5. As far as regular-season conference titles go, odds are out on that too.
Memphis is DraftKings’ favorite to win the AAC at +150. Tennessee is +850 to win the SEC at DraftKings, putting them fourth in that category.
FanDuel lists the Tigers at +350 to reach the 2020 Final Four. The Volunteers are +1000 at FanDuel to do the same.
William Hill in Tennessee has Memphis +1200 to win the NCAA men’s tournament this year. As far as a Tennessee national championship goes, William Hill currently offers odds of +6000.
Both teams won their openers on Tuesday, Nov. 5, but one game isn’t enough to draw any conclusions just yet.
For now, sportsbooks around the country are optimistic about both squads. If the teams play up to their potential, expect the odds to adjust accordingly.
