On Thursday, the No. 2 seeded Tennessee Volunteers will take on No. 15 Saint Peter’s in the first round of March Madness. The Volunteers are at odds of to win the NCAA Tournament, while the Peacocks are massive long shots at .
Below, we’ll check out this matchup and why people in New Jersey can’t bet on it.
Saint Peter’s looks to recapture Cinderella magic against No. 2 Tennessee
The Volunteers just lost to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. Now, as a No. 2 seed, they have a first round matchup versus Saint Peter’s, which overcame the odds to win its conference tournament over Fairfield.
Tennessee coming off a tough loss
The Volunteers were 24-8 this season, but they exited the SEC Tournament much faster than most anticipated, losing by nearly 20 to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, a No. 8 seed in the tournament. The team is led by Dalton Knecht, who is averaging 21.1 points per game. Jonas Aidoo, meanwhile, is chipping in 7.7 rebounds per game.
The Volunteers have yet to reach the Sweet Sixteen under head coach Rick Barnes.
What will Saint Peter’s do offensively?
While Saint Peter’s won its conference tournament and was a darling a couple of years ago, this team struggles to score points. It is averaging just 65.1 points per game this season, 336th in the nation. The defense has performed better, but Saint Peter’s is facing an opponent with a potential top-10 or top-15 draft pick in Knecht.
Why can’t I bet on Saint Peter’s?
If you are located in New Jersey, and this is your first time wagering on March Madness, you may be wondering why you don’t see any betting options or lines for this game. This is because of New Jersey state law, which contains the following restrictions: No action on all in-state college players, teams, and games.
Other states around the US have similar laws. If you are located in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, or Wyoming, however, all action is a go for the NCAA Tournament.
States such as Arizona, Colorado, and Florida ban wagering on player props but allow betting on in-state teams. Twenty-six states have some sort of restriction when it comes to college basketball wagering, so research your own state’s laws before looking to wager on the NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s basketball odds and betting lines
Depending on your state, this odds board will change.
Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s injury report: Who’s out, who’s questionable
Neither Tennessee nor Saint Peter’s has any injuries to report.
