SEC foes will battle when the Vanderbilt Commodores (5-8, 0-1 SEC) challenge the Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4, 1-0 SEC) at Memorial Gym. Alabama opened as a 1-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 143 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores ATS Preview
The last time the Crimson Tide played, they won big over the No. 5 Texas A&M Aggies, 79-57. John Petty was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting. The Crimson Tide made 20 of their 24 free throws (83.3 percent) and held the Aggies to an effective field goal percentage of 0.314 (below their season average of 0.542).
The Commodores are trying to rebound after their 81-74 loss to the Florida Gators in their last outing. Jeff Roberson was Vanderbilt’s high scorer with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Florida did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (27-30; 90.0 percent). Vanderbilt, on the other hand, held the Gators to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (below their season average of 32.4).
The aggressive Vanderbilt offense could be getting to the foul line a lot in this contest. The Commodores rank 23rd in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.301, while Alabama is among the nations most foul-prone squads (giving up a 163rd-ranked FTA rate of 0.224). Furthermore, the Crimson Tide’s 59th-ranked defense (opponents effective field goal percentage of 0.465) will go head-to-head against the Commodores 265th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.488).
Of Alabama’s 11 games with betting action, six have finished under the projected point total, while 7 of Vanderbilt’s 10 games have finished under the O/U total. The Crimson Tide hold a significant advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 9-4 SU and 5-6-1 ATS, while the Commodores are 5-8 SU and 1-9 ATS.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams, after the Crimson Tide won the lone contest last season, 59-56. The Crimson Tide dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 42.6 and a free throw rate of 0.190. For those same stats, the Commodores were 21.1 and 0.107, respectively.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Vanderbilt, ATS Winner – Vanderbilt, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Commodores rank 109th in rebounds per game (37.2) while the Crimson Tide rank 177th in rebounds allowed per game (36.8).
- Vanderbilt ranks 14th in assists allowed per game (10.1) while Alabama ranks 71st (12.1).
- Vanderbilt is 0-5 ATS at home, while Alabama is 3-3 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 4 of the Crimson Tide’s 6 road games, while 3 of the Commodores 5 home games have gone under.
- Vanderbilt ranks 46th in three pointers attempted per game (26.0) while Alabama ranks 214th (19.3).
- The Commodores rank third in steals allowed per game (4.0) while the Crimson Tide rank 91st (6.2).
- Alabama averages 6.2 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the NCAA. Vanderbilt ranks 91st in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
- Vanderbilt is 1-2 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Alabama is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Commodores average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.4, up from 2.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Crimson Tide have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
