Xavier vs Vanderbilt 3/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Vanderbilt Commodores will travel to the Cintas Center to take on the Xavier Musketeers this Tuesday night in the Quarterfinals of the NIT.

The Vanderbilt Commodores improved to 19-16 on the season after defeating the Dayton Flyers, 70-68 (OT), this past Sunday. Vanderbilt was able force OT after Quentin Millora-Brown hit a game-winning three-pointer with :25 seconds left in regulation and was able to secure the victory after Liam Robbins hit a game-winning layup with :39 seconds left in OT. Vanderbilt shot 37.1% from the field & 38.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Dayton to shoot 46.4% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Commodores Scottie Pippen Jr. who had 32 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, & 3 steals.

On the season, Vanderbilt is averaging 70.7 ppg on 42.4% shooting from the field. The Commodores are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 34.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Vanderbilt has been led by Scottie Pippen Jr. (20.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.9 spg), Jordan Wright (12.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.4 spg), Myles Stute (8.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Rodney Chatman (8.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg), & Quentin Millora-Brown (5.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.1 bpg).

Defensively, Vanderbilt is allowing their opponents to average 67.6 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Commodores have a rebound margin of -0.7 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Xavier Musketeers improved to 20-13 on the season after defeating the Florida Gators, 72-56, this past Sunday. Xavier was outstanding defensively against Florida in the 2^nd half and the Musketeers were able to pull away after a Jerome Hunter jumper gave Xavier a 55-43 lead with 7:42 left in regulation. Xavier shot 49.1% from the field & 20.0% from beyond the arc while holding Florida to just 32.8% shooting from the field & 20.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Musketeers was Nate Johnson who had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 steals.

On the season, Xavier is averaging 73.8 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Musketeers are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 31.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Xavier has been led by Jack Nunge (13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.4 bpg), Paul Scruggs (11.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Colby Jones (11.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Nate Johnson (10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Zach Freemantle (10.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.3 apg).

Defensively, Xavier is allowing their opponents to an average of 68.8 ppg on 42.2% shooting from the field. The Musketeers have a rebound margin of 2.8 and a turnover margin of 1.2.

The Commodores are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 & 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 road games. The Musketeers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a favorite & 2-12 ATS in their last 14 Tuesday games.

Vanderbilt has been led by their defense which comes into this game ranked 129^th in scoring defense, 132^nd in defensive FG%, & 96^th in turnover margin, however, the Commodores have struggled at times on the offensive end as they currently rank just 183^rd in scoring offense & 266^th in FG%. Xavier has been led decent on both ends of the court this season as they come into this game ranked t-101^st in scoring offense, 137^th in FG%, & 119^th in defensive FG%.

Xavier looked great against Florida, however, this is a team that struggled for the most part down the stretch and barley was able to get back Cleveland State in the opening round of the NIT. Vanderbilt has looked great down the stretch, which includes a win against Alabama in the SEC Tournament and as I think Scottie Pippen Jr. & Jordan Wright will be able to keep this game competitive, I think the play here is to take the Commodores and the points. Good Luck!