The Vanderbilt Commodores (7-12, 2-5 SEC) can snap a six-game road losing streak when they go head-to-head with the No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (13-5, 4-3 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee opened as a 12-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 143.5 points. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Vanderbilt Commodores at Tennessee Volunteers Odds Preview
In the Commodores last game, they defeated the LSU Tigers, 77-71. Riley LaChance led Vanderbilt in scoring with 26 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The Commodores had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.408 (above their season average of 0.293) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.582 (above their season average of 0.492).
The Volunteers come in on a high note after beating the South Carolina Gamecocks in their last game, 70-63. Tennessee was lifted by Lamonte Turner, who was the games leading scorer with 25 points on 6-for-9 shooting. The Volunteers made 19 of their 24 free throws (79.2 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.637 (above their season average of 0.510).
The aggressive Tennessee offense could be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this contest. The Volunteers rank 25th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.295, while Vanderbilt ranks 304th in FTA rate allowed (0.286).
Of Vanderbilt’s 16 games that accepted bets, nine have finished under the projected point total, while 8 of Tennessee’s 15 games have finished under the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Volunteers have a significant advantage. They are 13-5 SU and 10-6 ATS, while the Commodores are 7-12 SU and 2-14 ATS.
Admiral Schofield has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Tennessee, averaging 15.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 176 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 141. The Volunteers won 92-84, covering as 1.5-point favorites. The Volunteers dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.472 and a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 32.0. For those same stats, the Commodores were 0.268 and 29.0, respectively. Grant Williams scored a game-high 37 points.
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Tennessee Volunteers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – Vanderbilt, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Commodores rank 10th in steals allowed per game (4.6) while the Volunteers rank 79th (5.9).
- On the road, Vanderbilt is 1-6 ATS with 5 unders and 2 overs.
- At home, Tennessee is 3-4 ATS with 4 unders and 2 overs.
- Tennessee ranks 33rd in assists per game (16.6) while Vanderbilt ranks 205th (12.4).
- The Commodores rank 49th in three pointers attempted per game (25.4) while the Volunteers rank 184th (20.4).
- Tennessee ranks 22nd in blocks per game (5.3) while Vanderbilt ranks 126th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Betting Trends:
- Tennessee is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Volunteers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.0, down from 8.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Commodores have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.6 points per game (5.9 above their season average).
