An exciting Sweet 16 matchup between the third-seed Creighton Bluejays (25-9) and second-seed Tennessee Volunteers (26-8) is coming up on Friday, March 29 at 10:09 PM ET. ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook offers the Volunteers as slight favorites with a moneyline at -162.

When: March 29, 2024 at 10:09 PM ET

Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan

Watch: TBS/truTV

Creighton Bluejays Preview

The Bluejays have won four out of their last five games and are currently on a two-game win streak in the tournament heading into this matchup. Their most recent success was a 86-73 double-overtime thriller against the Oregon Ducks, where Steven Ashworth led with 21 points.

Even though he did not lead in points against the Ducks, Baylor Scheierman had 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists to help seal their win. He currently leads the team with 18.3 points and 9.1 rebounds a game.

The Bluejays are getting 80.6 points per game and rank 31st overall offensively here. In terms of their offensive efficiency, they rank 18th with a rating of 116.3. So not only do they score a good amount of points, they also know how to take care of the ball each possession.

They are allowing opponents to score an average of 69.5 points per game and rank 100th. They also rank 91st in their defensive efficiency. As long as their offense continues to click, they should be able to have a chance at separation in points.

Tennessee Volunteers Preview

The Volunteers are 3-2 in their last five matchups, with two consecutive wins to start the tournament. Their latest triumph was a 62-58 performance over the seventh-seed Texas Longhorns, despite only shooting 12.0 percent from the deep.

The biggest difference between these two teams is the fact that the Vols have Dalton Knecht (21.1 PPG). He has the ability to drop 40 on any given night and is crucial to their success on the offensive end.

The Vols exhibit an offensive prowess that puts them at 51st nationally, as they score an average of 79.1 points per game. They boast an efficiency rating of 112.2, positioning them at 53rd overall. This sets up an enticing clash with the Bluejays as they also take care of the basketball.

Defensively, they hold opponents to an average of 67.0 points per game, securing the 48th spot nationally. Furthermore, they excel defensively, ranking 10th overall with an impressive efficiency rating of 95.1. Notably, while their offense is strong, their defensive performance has elevated during the tournament.

Betting Odds

ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook offers the best basketball odds for March Madness. Currently, the Tennessee Volunteers are favored to win in what is expected to be a tight matchup, with market insights showing they have a 57.4 percent chance at winning.

Creighton Bluejays: +127

Spread: +2.5 (-105)

Tennessee Volunteers: -162

Spread: -2.5 (-121)

Total Points: Over 143.5 (-118), Under 143.5 (-108)

Photo Credit: © Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports