SMU vs Vanderbilt 12/4/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Vanderbilt Commodores will travel to Moody Coliseum to take on the SMU Mustangs this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Vanderbilt Commodores won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 5-1 on the season after defeating the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, 75-36, this past Monday. Vanderbilt had no trouble containing the Mississippi Valley State offense and easily pulled away for victory after taking a 47-18 lead with 12:16 left in regulation. Vanderbilt shot 43.6% from the field & 39.3% from beyond the arc while holding Mississippi Valley State to just 20.0% from the field & 17.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Commodores was Myles Stute who had 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, & 1 steal.

On the season, Vanderbilt is averaging 71.2 ppg on 42.4% shooting from the field. The Commodores are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game on 31.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Vanderbilt has been led by Scotty Pippen Jr. (14.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.8 spg), Jordan Wright (14.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 spg), Myles Stute (9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 spg), & Tyrin Lawrence (8.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Vanderbilt is holding their opponents to an average of 55.2 ppg on 35.8% shooting from the field. The Commodores have a rebound margin of 4.5 and a turnover margin of 4.5.

The SMU Mustangs won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 6-3 on the season after defeating the UNLV Rebels, 83-64, this past Wednesday. SMU was outstanding on the offensive end and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 44-21 halftime lead. SMU shot 60.0% from the field & 45.0% from beyond the arc while allowing UNLV to shoot 38.7% from the field & 37.5% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Mustangs was Kendric Davis who had 18 points, 4 rebounds, & 8 assists.

On the season, SMU is averaging 77.7 ppg on 45.8% shooting from the field. The Mustangs are averaging 9.3 three-pointers per game on 38.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, SMU has been led by Kendric Davis (20.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.1 spg), Marcus Weathers (11.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 bpg), Emmanuel Branoumel (11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 apg), & Zach Nutall (7.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg).

Defensively, SMU is allowing their opponents to average 67.8 ppg on 39.1% shooting from the field. The Mustangs have a rebound margin of 3.6 and a turnover margin of -0.7.

The Commodores are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record & 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games. The Mustangs are 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games overall & 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games.

Vanderbilt isn’t the highest scoring team, however, their defense has been lights out this season as the Commodores come into this game ranked 7^th in scoring defense & 9^th in defensive FG%. SMU has been solid on both ends of the field this season, coming into this game ranked 94^th in scoring offense & 67^th in defensive FG%.

SMU is a solid team, however, we have seen the offense struggle at times this season and the Mustangs have had issues with turnovers as they come into this game ranked just 225^th in turnover margin. Vanderbilt has a solid duo in Scotty Pippen Jr. & Jordan Wright and as I think the Commodores defense has some success in this one, I think the play here is to take Vanderbilt and the points. Good Luck!