It’s a battle between hot and cold teams when the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores open their SEC Tournament runs. Tennessee ended the regular season on a 2-6 rut. But one of those wins came against Vanderbilt, which has won all of its last five games. Can the Volunteers find a way to advance in the tournament? Read on as we break down this second round matchup.
For more on the SEC Championship, check out our complete conference tournament preview. You can also check out our complete preview for the Alabama vs. Florida second round matchup.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Preview
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
When: Thursday, March 12, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers have won just three games in their last 13. But one of those wins came against Vanderbilt, 76-73, in overtime on February 11. Considering the Vols won that game on the road, they may not mind this game being played at a neutral location as the away team. The Vols are 8-2 ATS this season as the road team.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Senior guard Josh Richardson was spectacular in that game. He scored 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three. He had 20 points on 5-of-12 shooting (2-of-4 from downtown) in the second game against Vanderbilt, a 73-65 loss.
For the Vols to take this game against Vanderbilt, they’ll need one of their top scorers in Kevin Punter (10.2 points per game) to step up. He’s averaged 8.5 points against Vanderbilt this season, and hasn’t scored in double figures in three of his last four games.
Second leading scorer Armani Moore (10.8 points per game) has done well, though. He’s averaging 11.5 points per game against Vanderbilt this season and 12.2 points over his last five games.
The total had gone under in eight straight matchups between Tennessee and Vanderbilt before going over in both games this season.
Betting on the Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores ended their regular season on a tear. They won five straight heading into the SEC Tournament, going 4-1 against the spread in those games.
The Commodores have the best field goal percentage (.471) in the SEC. It showed in their regular season win against Tennessee. They made 57.5 percent of field goal attempts, including 52 percent from downtown.
The Commodores may be able to torch Tennessee again in this game, especially with the Vols allowing opponents to shoot 49 percent in their last three contests. Vanderbilt has a devastating trio to do just that. Riley LaChance has scored 11.8 points on 46 percent in his last five; Damian Jones has scored 11.4 on 56 percent shooting; and Wade Baldwin has 13.4 points shooting 53 percent from the field.
The Commodores have won just three of their last 10 games against Tennessee.
Writer’s Prediction
Vanderbilt starches Tennessee to advance in the tournament. Take the Commodores to cover the spread.
It’s going to be a fun and wild March. Get yourself ready for March Madness by creating a betting account now to get the best up-to-date odds for your college hoops fix.
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