(5) Villanova will play their second-ranked matchup of the year against (17) Tennessee to start off the Cheez-it Hall of Fame Tournament. The Wildcats are led by junior guard Justin Moore and senior Collin Gillespie. While for Tennessee, they are led by freshman standout Kennedy Chandler and junior Oliver Nkamhoua. (5) Villanova and (17) Tennessee are both ranked in the top five for three-point shots made with Villanova averaging 13.7 per game and Tennessee averaging 13.5 threes per game.
What’s at Shake?
Villanova will get the chance to bounce back and get a ranked opponent win against Tennessee after losing on the road to No. 2 UCLA. Villanova is looking to prove that they can contend for a national championship again after getting bounced early in the big dance last March. The Wildcats will look for production from the improved scorer of Justin Moore, averaging team-high 17 points, while Brandon Slater is coming off his best performance this season against Howard with 23 points while going 100% from the three-point line.
Tennessee is coming off two dominating wins against UT Martin and ETSU to start their season. Tennessee will be challenged early in the game Saturday afternoon against Villanova. The Volunteers will look for production by both stars Kennedy Chandler and Oliver Nkamhoua. Kennedy has been averaging 18 points while shooting 85% from the three-point line. While for Nkamhoua, he has been averaging a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 60% from the three-point line.
Must Watch Players
Justin Moore: Moore is the must-stop player if you are playing for Tennessee. Moore has been shooting lights out with 19 points and 66% from the three-point line. The junior has improved his three percent every year since his 2020-21 season.
Kennedy Chandler: The freshman was expected to come out and score fast and he has lived up to his expectations so far this season. The question is if he can shoot above his average of 85% from the three-point line against a top-five team in the country of Villanova.
Starting Lineup Projection
| Tennessee Starting Lineup | Villanova Starting Lineup |
| Guard: Josiah-Jordan James | Guard: Collin Gillespie |
| Guard: Kennedy Chandler | Guard: Justin Moore |
| Guard: Santiago Vescovi | Forward: Jermaine Samuels |
| Forward: John Fulkerson | Forward: Brandon Slater |
| Forward: Oliver Nkamhoua | Forward: Eric Dixon |
Game Prediction
Villanova will come out and start out hot from behind the three-point line. The Wildcats will move on and face the winner of (6) Purdue and (18) North Carolina.
Villanova 85 Tennessee 72
We have an awesome Shop, so stop by to take a peek!
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel