Tennessee vs. Florida Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Odds for SEC Tournament Championship

The Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers go head to head in the SEC Tournament Championship Game this afternoon in Nashville.

Florida and Tennessee split their two regular-season matchups, demolishing each other on their respective home courts.

Florida handed Tennessee their first loss of the season on January 7th in a dominant 73-43 rout in Gainesville. The Vols were barely functional offensively, scoring just 15 points in the first half while shooting a brutal 4-29 from three-point range.

Rick Barnes’ group got revenge in the best way possible back in Knoxville on February 1st, winning 64-44. Florida managed just five assists and shot 4-27 from distance. It was the only game all season where the Gators failed to reach 70 points.

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Tennessee vs. Florida Odds

Tennessee vs. Florida Date, Time, and Where To Watch

• Date: March 16, 2025
• Time: 1:00 pm ET
• Where To Watch: ESPN

Click here for latest Tennessee vs. Florida Odds

Tennessee vs. Florida SEC Championship Prediction

With each team delivering a blowout win on their home court, this rubber match becomes even more intriguing. Their identities couldn’t be more different. And they’re both playing at such an elite level.

The key today is which team can better impose their style of play onto the game. Can Tennessee lean on their physicality and elite defense to make this a slower-paced, half-court game? Or will the Gators turn stops into runouts, set the tempo, and force a faster-paced battle?

The total opened at 138.5, which has quickly been bet up to 144. That movement makes a lot of sense to me – I believe this game is more likely to be played into the 70's than the 60's. 

Are the Gators safe as the final 1-seed, or can Tennessee steal it with an upset in today's SEC Championship Game? See the full breakdown on the Bracketology scenarios here

While Jahmai Mashack and Chaz Lanier are elite defenders and can make things more challenging for Walter Clayton Jr. and the rest of these Florida guards than probably anybody else in the country, I’m not sure that will be enough for the Vols here.

Clayton is playing like the best guard in the nation, but this whole roster is loaded around him. The nine-man rotation is absurd. Everybody can play with energy and stay fresh because there’s no drop off.

Micah Handlogten wasn’t healthy until a month ago the last time these teams faced off, and Todd Golden hadn’t unleashed the Urban Legend, Urban Klazvar, yet. Those two joining an already stacked top seven is an embarrassment of riches, and the pieces fit so well together too. 

With elite guard play, high-level shooting, and four bigs who dominate the offensive glass, even Tennessee’s No. 3 ranked defense is in for a massive challenge. The way Florida has been playing with a fully healthy roster, it’s hard to see anyone in the country beating them. One could argue Tennessee’s got the best shot of anyone, but that still doesn’t get me to back the Vols here.

Martin is a great matchup for Lanier, and with Florida’s rim protection, it will be very difficult for guys like Gainey and Zeigler to score around the basket.

I’m confident that Tennessee is going to struggle to score efficiently against this Florida defense in the halfcourt, which means there is going to be opportunities for the Gators to run. If that’s the case, it’s going to be tough for the Vols to keep them from getting good looks.

Hard not to be all over the Gators right now.

Tennessee vs. Florida SEC Championship Pick

• Pick: Florida -5.5 (-110) Get oddschecker+ right now for just $9.99 per month. Don't miss out on this first month deal!