Tennessee vs. South Carolina odds, prediction: 2026 college basketball picks for March 3 from proven model

CBS Sports
by Daniel Kohn
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Tennessee vs. South Carolina odds, prediction: 2026 college basketball picks for March 3 from proven model
Tennessee and South Carolina are set to clash in a crucial SEC matchup that could impact their conference standings. Both teams enter the game looking to bounce back from recent losses: Tennessee fell 71-69 to Alabama, while South Carolina lost 87-68 to Georgia. The Volunteers, currently tied for fourth in the SEC with a 20-9 record, hold a strong 8.5-point favorite status over the Gamecocks, who are struggling at 12-17 overall and 3-13 in conference play. The game will take place at South Carolina's home court, Colonial Life Arena, where they have a decent 11-7 record this season. Tennessee, however, boasts an impressive 54-29 lead in the all-time series between the two teams, including a dominant 20-17 edge in games played in Columbia. The Volunteers' road performance has been inconsistent, with a 4-5 record away from home this year. Their key player, Nate Ament, will miss the game due to a leg injury, potentially impacting their lineup. SportsLine's Projection Model predicts an intense showdown, simulating the game 10,000 times and projecting a total of
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026