SEC foes will collide when the Vanderbilt Commodores (10-16, 4-9 SEC) square off against the Florida Gators (17-9, 8-5 SEC) at Memorial Gym. Action starts at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17, 2018.
Florida Gators at Vanderbilt Commodores ATS Preview
In the Gators last outing, they lost a close one to the Georgia Bulldogs, 72-69. Florida’s Egor Koulechov contributed 19 points and six rebounds in the contest. Georgia had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 26.2). Florida, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.5 vs. 16.9).
The Commodores will look to maintain momentum after edging the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their last matchup, 81-80. With 22 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Jeff Roberson was the top scorer from either team. Vanderbilt dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 43.3 (above their season average of 28.5) and a free throw rate of 0.196 (matching their season average). For those same stats, Mississippi State was 25.0 and 0.151, respectively.
The physical Vanderbilt offense could be living from the free throw line in this meeting. The Commodores currently rank 39th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.287, while Florida ranks 161st in FTA rate allowed (0.228). Additionally, the Gators rank 10th in turnover percentage (14.8 percent), while the Commodores rank 336th in opponents turnover percentage (15.6 percent).
These teams have already met once this season. The Gators won 81-74. Florida did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (27-30; 90.0 percent). Vanderbilt, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 25.0). Koulechov scored a game-high 22 points.
Florida Gators at Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Florida, ATS Winner – Florida, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Commodores are 49th in the nation with 11.7 assists allowed per game while the Gators are 55th with 11.8 assists allowed per game.
- Florida is 15th in the NCAA with 4.8 steals allowed per game while Vanderbilt is 17th with 4.9 steals allowed per game.
- Florida averages 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 28th in the nation. Vanderbilt ranks 166th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
- The Commodores rank 98th in rebounds allowed per game (33.7) while the Gators rank 226th (36.9).
- Vanderbilt is 12th in the NCAA with 17.5 three pointers allowed per game while Florida is 53rd with 19.7 three pointers allowed per game.
Betting Trends:
- The Commodores average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.2, up from 1.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gators have scored an average of 63.4 points per game (14.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.4 points per game (6.8 below their season average).
