The Tennessee Volunteers look to get their season back on track as they head to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with the No. 17 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tennessee has lost three of its last five, but that slide can’t be pinned on five-star freshman Nate Ament, who I’m backing to have a big game in my Tennessee vs. Alabama predictions.
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Here are my best free college basketball picks for this conference clash on Saturday, January 24.
Tennessee vs Alabama prediction
Tennessee vs Alabama best bet: Nate Ament Over 15.5 points (-120)
Tennessee forward Nate Ament is averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and has shown improved efficiency of late. The silky-smooth 6-foot-10 freshman is shooting 49.1% from the field over his last six games after connecting at just a 38% clip across his first 12 contests.
Ament has scored 17 or more points in three straight games and draws a favorable matchup tonight against an Alabama team that plays at a blazing-fast pace while offering little resistance on defense.
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The Crimson Tide are 329th nationally in points allowed per game (82.6), with that number ballooning to 86.8 against high-major opponents. They also sit outside the top 300 in free throws allowed per game (25.2), while Ament ranks in the top 15th percentile in free-throw rate.
Ament’s ability to score in transition and consistently get to the line should help him eclipse his points total tonight.
Tennessee vs Alabama same-game parlay
Let’s also back Ament to have a productive night on the glass, as Alabama’s extremely fast tempo has the Tide ranked 358th in rebounds allowed per game (41.3).
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Tennessee hasn’t looked great of late, but neither has Alabama, which is 2–7 ATS in its last nine games against Top-100 KenPom opponents at home. The Vols check in at No. 23 at KenPom and are 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Tennessee would have a solid chance to cover this spread even if the Tide were at full strength, and that may not be the case. Alabama’s second- and third-leading scorers, Aden Holloway and Amari Allen, have both been downgraded to questionable for tonight.
Tennessee vs Alabama SGP
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Nate Ament Over 15.5 points
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Nate Ament Over 5.5 rebounds
Our beyond the arc SGP: Nate the Great
With the Tide possibly missing their second and third-highest scorers against a strong Vols defense, I’m leaning towards the Under on a lofty total.
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The Under has cashed in 10 of 12 meetings between these SEC foes during Rick Barnes’ tenure.
Tennessee vs Alabama SGP
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Nate Ament Over 15.5 points
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Nate Ament Over 5.5 rebounds
Tennessee vs Alabama odds
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Spread: Tennessee +6.5 (-110) | Alabama -6.5 (-110)
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Moneyline: Tennessee +230 | Alabama -280
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Over/Under: Over 167.5 (-110) | Under 167.5 (-110)
Tennessee vs Alabama betting trend to know
The Vols have gone 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the last four meetings between these conference foes. Find more college basketball betting trends for Tennessee vs. Alabama.
How to watch Tennessee vs Alabama
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Location |
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL |
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Date |
Saturday, January 24, 2026 |
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Tip-off |
8:30 p.m. ET |
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TV |
ESPN |
Tennessee vs Alabama key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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