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Tennessee Basketball cuts title odds in half with Yves Pons return

By Colton Pickard

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 15: John Fulkerson #10 and Yves Pons #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers block out against Adrio Bailey #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 15, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 106-87. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 15: John Fulkerson #10 and Yves Pons #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers block out against Adrio Bailey #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 15, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 106-87. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Basketball’s national championship odds have been cut in half with Yves Pons returning for his senior season.

Yves Pons returning for his senior season has created some excitement surrounding the Tennessee Basketball program. A little bit of that excitement has leaked out of Tennessee and has traveled to the bookmakers in Las Vegas.

Before Pons announced he was returning for his senior season, Tennessee had 50/1 odds at winning the national championship. With Pons back in the mix, the Vols have jumped up to 25/1 odds. BetOnline has given the Vols the best odds at 22/1 (+2200).

If you’re hoping the Vols at least make it to the Final Four, then the Vols have 5/1 odds (+450). There are currently 20 other teams with 5/1 odds to make it to the Final Four.

The jump in odds is warranted for the Vols. Pons is arguably the best player on Tennessee’s roster and is the best defensive player that Tennessee has. He’s the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and with another year working out and honing his defensive craft, Pons can improve on his defensive game and continue to dominate the SEC on that side of the court.

Vegas must really like Pons and the Vols this season with these odds. Since Vegas odds have been released, this is Tennessee’s third-highest odds going into a season.

The biggest thing that Tennessee will need to improve on this season if they want to live up to the hype is their offense. If Rick Barnes and the Vols can find some consistency in the offense and consistently make threes, then I think the Vols will be alright.

The Vols will also need to be aware of their shooting tendencies and realize what is working and what isn’t before it’s too late. If the three isn’t working, then start working the ball down low and find ways to get up shots inside the arc.

dark. Next. Will AJ Brown have a sophomore slump or breakout 2nd year?

These new odds gave me a little shock because I didn’t expect them to be as good as they are, but if the Vols want to be a top-tier team in college basketball, then you won’t hear me complain.

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