Sweet 16 first look: FAU vs. Tennessee odds, lines and trends

The 8th-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls (33-3) meet the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers (25-10) on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Tip is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we look at FAU vs. Tennesseeodds from Tipico Sportsbook. Plus, check out our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

FAU entered this NCAA Tournament with an 0-1 record in the Big Dance. After a 66-65 win over Memphis, and a 78-70 victory against Fairleigh Dickinson, the Owls find themselves in unchartered territory, playing its first-ever game at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In the win over FDU, Johnell Davis scored 29 points with 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals while going 10-of-16 from the field. Davis became the first player in Men's NCAA Tournament history with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ steals.

The Owls have posted 9 straight victories, while going 6-3 against the spread (ATS) during the impressive run. The Over result against FDU snapped a 4-0 Under run in the postseason for the Owls.

Tennessee powered past Duke 65-52 as a 3-point underdog in the second round, which was much more impressive than its ugly 58-55 victory over Louisiana in the opening round.

The Vols have hit the Under in 3 of 4 games during the postseason, while going low on the total at a 9-4-1 clip in the last 14 games overall. Tennessee is looking for its 1st 3-game win streak since rattling off 4 straight victories and covers from Jan. 17-28.

FAU has never been the Sweet 16, while Tennessee makes its 1st appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2019 when it was bounced by Purdue in overtime.

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