SEC foes will battle when the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-10, 1-3 SEC) clash with the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats (13-3, 3-1 SEC) at Memorial Gym. Action begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Odds Preview
In the Wildcats last contest, they won a close one over the Texas A&M Aggies, 74-73. With 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a good performance. The Wildcats had an absurd free throw rate of 0.512 (above their season average of 0.272) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.605 (above their season average of 0.528).
The Commodores are hoping for a better outcome after their 92-84 loss to the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers in their last matchup. Saben Lee was Vanderbilt’s high scorer with 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Tennessee did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (25-28; 89.3 percent). Vanderbilt, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 10.9 (better than their season average of 16.3).
A focal point for the Vanderbilt offense is getting to the free throw line. The Commodores rank 20th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.300), but Kentucky is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 52nd by yielding a FTA rate of 0.188).
Matthew Fisher-Davis has been playing at a high level recently for Vanderbilt, averaging 14.8 points, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks over the last five games.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year, after the Wildcats won both games last season. In the most recent contest, Kentucky won 73-67. The Wildcats played a nearly flawless game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 and a turnover percentage of 14.2. The Commodores had marks of 13.8 and 24.3, respectively, for those same stats.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Vanderbilt, ATS Winner – Vanderbilt, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Wildcats average 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks 22nd in the nation. The Commodores rank 102nd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
- Kentucky averages 38.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 61st in the NCAA. Vanderbilt ranks 99th in rebounds allowed per game (34.0).
- Vanderbilt ranks 38th in three pointers attempted per game (26.1) while Kentucky ranks 277th (14.6).
- The Commodores rank 17th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Wildcats rank 144th (13.9).
- Vanderbilt ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Kentucky ranks 94th (6.3).
Betting Trends:
- The Commodores average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.2, up from 0.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 73.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
