Welcome back to another edition of our college basketball odds series, the premier sports betting source for the most wonderful time of the year in the college basketball world. On Friday evening, SEC power Kentucky will put its impressive resume to the test against Cinderella herself in the Vanderbilt Commodores, who have now racked up two victories as the underdog. Without further ado, let's jump straight into the action with our Vanderbilt-Kentucky prediction and pick.
Among the top four teams in the SEC, some may argue that the Wildcats are the most dangerous threat of all in making a deep tournament run. Kentucky currently has the third-best odds in winning the national championship, and have all the necessary tools at their disposal to make those wildest dreams come true. Coach Calipari has the troops playing inspired basketball in the current month of madness, as there is no doubt schools want to play Kentucky when they're playing up to their full potential. Kentucky has won eight of their past ten matchups, going 4-5-1 ATS during that timeframe.
One of the top spoiling squads thus far in all of the conference tournaments throughout the nation, Vanderbilt is officially making a name for themselves as the 11-seed in the SEC Conference Tournament. Now with two games under their belts and soon to be playing a third on Friday evening, the Commodores will forever put their names in the SEC history books if they can grind out the massive upset win against the Cats. Astonishingly enough, Vandy has gone an absurd 11-1 ATS in their previous 12 games overall.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Vanderbilt-Kentucky SEC Tournament odds:
SEC Tournament odds: Auburn-Arkansas Odds
Vanderbilt: +10.5 (-110)
Kentucky: -10.5 (-110)
Over: 143 (-110)
Under: 143 (-110)
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Why Vanderbilt Could Cover the Spread
By the end of this article, this single fact alone will start to sound like a broken record spinning endlessly without end, but the Commodores know how to win against the spread. Their regular-season record was nothing special by any means, recording a 17-15 record which was only good for an 11th place finish in the conference, but they seem to be experts when coming in clutch for the sports betting public who loves nothing but the spreads. Outside of being phenomenal in that department, the Commodores have been playing splendid basketball of late, holding Georgia in check defensively to the tune of 29% shooting in their first-round matchup and then smothering the Crimson Tide's three-point shot to 23%.
Vanderbilt has one of the hardest playing defensive units around when they are communicating their switches on pick and rolls and by shutting down open lanes that are susceptible to aggressive dribble-drive attacks. One name to watch for if Vandy is gonna pull it off? Junior guard Scottie Pippen Jr., who has quietly become one of the better playmakers in the nation with his spectacular 20.5 PPG and 4.2 APG. Pippen had a field day in Vandy's last matchup vs Kentucky, abusing cat after cat with 33 points on 11/23 shooting.
Why Kentucky Could Cover the Spread
When looking at these teams side by side, it's obvious that there is a huge talent gap and Kentucky will be looking to exploit the deepest weaknesses of Vanderbilt's roster. Not to mention, Vandy is playing their third straight game in as many games, which could lead to extreme exhaustion by the end of the contest. The Commodores will have their hands full against a UK team that averages 80 PPG, and if the game turns quickly into a shoot-out, there is little hope that Vanderbilt can keep up with their hysterical scoring pace. During last matchup between these two schools on Feb. 2 that resulted in a 77-70 Kentucky victory, forward Keion Brooks Jr. and bench standout guard Davion Mintz led the scoring with 20 and 21 points respectively. Kentucky has been inconsistent versus the spread, but they have talent at every position to sink the Commodores with ease.
Final Vanderbilt-Kentucky Prediction & Pick
This is a no-brainer, and it shouldn't result in too much critical thinking. Vandy is one of the better picks against the spread and Kentucky is quite the opposite, as they've struggled to put together consecutive convincing dominating performances and are only 4-17 ATS in their last 21 games. Hammer the Commodores!
Final Vanderbilt-Kentucky Prediction & Pick: Vanderbilt +10.5 (-110)
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