Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Odds

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SEC foes will collide when the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-9, 1-2 SEC) take on the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers (10-4, 1-2 SEC) at Memorial Gym. Tennessee opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 140 points. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, and it can be seen on SEC Network.

Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Commodores Free Preview

In the Volunteers last game, they were victorious over the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats, 76-65. Admiral Schofield was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Tennessee played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.327 (above their season average of 0.279) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.3 (below their season average of 35.3). Kentucky recorded marks of 0.192 and 24.2, respectively, for those same stats.

The Commodores are hoping for a better outcome after their 71-60 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in their last outing. With 12 points and five rebounds, Vanderbilt’s Matthew Fisher-Davis played well. One of South Carolina’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They made 39 trips to the line, while Vanderbilt went just 20 times.

The physical Vanderbilt offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Commodores rank 21st in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.303, while Tennessee ranks 303rd in FTA rate allowed (0.289). Moreover, the 59th-ranked defense of the Volunteers (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.468) will square off against the 280th-ranked offense of the Commodores (effective field goal percentage of 0.486).

Of Tennessee’s 11 games that accepted bets, six have finished over the projected point total, while 8 of Vanderbilt’s 12 games have finished under the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Volunteers have a sizable advantage. They are 10-4 SU and 7-5 ATS, while the Commodores are 6-9 SU and 1-11 ATS.

Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Volunteers, it’s been Schofield, who has averaged 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds, while the Commodores have gotten solid contributions from Fisher-Davis (12.8 points and 2.0 steals).

This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Commodores won the most recent contest 67-56. The Commodores played a nearly perfect game. They had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 7.0 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.439. For those same stats, the Volunteers were 12.0 and 0.315, respectively.

Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Commodores ATS Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – Tennessee, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Volunteers rank 25th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Commodores rank 98th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
  • Vanderbilt averages 36.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 113th in the nation. Tennessee ranks 166th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
  • Vanderbilt is 0-6 ATS at home, while Tennessee is 5-1 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 3 of the Commodores 6 home games, while 4 of the Volunteers 6 road games have gone over.
  • Tennessee ranks 16th in assists per game (17.9) while Vanderbilt ranks 185th (12.5).
  • The Commodores rank 38th in three pointers attempted per game (26.1) while the Volunteers rank 138th (21.9).
  • Vanderbilt ranks 10th in steals allowed per game (4.6) while Tennessee ranks 84th (6.3).

Betting Trends:

  • Vanderbilt is 1-2 ATS with 2 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
  • Over their last five games, Tennessee is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Commodores average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 1.3 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Volunteers have scored an average of 79.6 points per game (0.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (5.1 above their season average).