Tennessee Volunteers: A False Sense of Security?
At first glance, the Volunteers should be considered heavy favorites. They have the more robust roster, a history of success in the SEC, and a well-established coaching system. But when you look deeper into Tennessee’s recent performances, particularly against lower-tier teams, cracks in their armor begin to show. The Volunteers have had several instances this season where they struggled to cover large spreads, especially against teams with less prestige but high energy. Against the right kind of underdog—such as Western Carolina—Tennessee could find themselves overconfident, leading to a closer game than expected.
Let’s also talk about Tennessee’s historical tendency to underestimate smaller programs. While the Volunteers typically take care of business, they often fail to execute with the precision and dominance needed to cover huge spreads against lesser teams. The key question for bettors is whether Tennessee’s motivation will match the hype—will they really bring their best effort, or will they simply coast to a mediocre win?
Western Carolina Catamounts: The Underdog that Could Overperform
The Catamounts, on the other hand, are the quintessential underdog. On paper, they don’t stand a chance against a team like Tennessee. However, the beauty of betting on college basketball is that unpredictability is always lurking. Western Carolina has shown flashes of promise in past seasons, and although their overall talent may not compare to Tennessee’s, they possess the kind of scrappy, underdog mentality that can lead to overachievement. If they play with intensity, take advantage of Tennessee’s potential complacency, and get a few breaks on the road, they could cover the spread—or, depending on the odds, even make this game interesting.
The Catamounts have had moments of resilience this season, often rising to the occasion in tough matchups. Their success will hinge on hitting key shots, controlling the tempo, and forcing Tennessee into uncomfortable situations. With an up-tempo style of play, they could frustrate the Volunteers, making it harder for them to establish a comfortable lead.
The Betting Perspective: A Risky Proposition
This game represents one of those rare opportunities where conventional wisdom might fail bettors. Tennessee’s dominance in the SEC is unquestionable, but they often struggle with focus and maintaining intensity against lower-level opponents. With the spread likely inflated due to Tennessee’s brand recognition, it becomes a risky proposition to back the Volunteers in a blowout. The line could be set too high, and the result may not be as one-sided as some would expect.
For the Catamounts, betting on an outright win may be too much of a stretch, but covering the spread, especially if it’s in the 15-18 point range, could present a valuable opportunity. Western Carolina’s grit and defensive scheme could prove effective against an overconfident Tennessee team that struggles to put away inferior opponents.
Conclusion: Betting Against the Grain
While betting on the Tennessee Volunteers seems like a safe bet at first glance, the smart move could be to take a more contrarian stance. The potential for a closer game than expected, particularly if Tennessee’s focus isn’t sharp, gives the Catamounts a chance to cover the spread. Keep an eye on the line movement and consider how much of Tennessee’s win margin is based on their name rather than their actual game performance.
In the world of NCAA basketball, upsets can happen, and when the odds are stacked against an underdog like Western Carolina, the value might lie in betting on them to exceed expectations. For this December 17th showdown, take the risk—back the Catamounts to keep it closer than the public expects.