There is a throwback look to Tennessee, as Rick Barnes can rely on his physical defense (allowing only 64 ppg and just 37.6% from the floor, ranking sixth nationally in the latter) to slow down the opposition. We thus envision nothing other than a grinder tonight in Starkville as Chris Jams does not have his MSU side equipped to do anything but turn this into a trench fight with the Vols, especially with 6-10 frontlienr Tolu Smith now back in action and usually getting touches on each possession. Allowing only 63 ppg, the Bulldogs also know about defense, and envision this one played in the low-to-mid 60s at the Hump. Play Tennessee-Mississippi State "Under"

These teams are pretty evenly matched, and defenses should have the edge on both ends of the floor. Tennessee ranks #4 and MSST ranks #11 in defensive efficiency. Both are holding opponents to a 43% effective FG rate.

My simulations make this total 134. I'm on the Under in the competitive conference game.