Vanderbilt Commodores (5-8) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (8-5)
2024-01-06 15:30:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Vanderbilt Commodores +14.5 -- Over/Under: 159.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Vanderbilt Commodores meet in college basketball action from the Memorial Gym on Saturday afternoon. Who starts SEC conference play on a high note? Let’s dive in and find out with our Alabama vs. Vanderbilt Prediction.
Alabama Team Preview
The Alabama Crimson Tide come into this one after a 101-56 win over Liberty last time out. Mark Sears leads the Tide in scoring and assists with 19.3 PPG and 3.8 APG along with 4.3 RPG and Aaron Estrada has 13.8 PPG with 4.8 RPG and 4.1 APG as well on the year. Grant Nelson has 14.2 PPG with a team-high 5.7 RPG to lead the Tide on the glass and to cap off the scoring in double figures for Alabama up to this point in the year. As a team, Alabama is averaging 92.8 PPG on 49.3% shooting from the field, 39% shooting from the field and 77.9% from the foul line this season.
Vanderbilt Team Preview
The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this one looking to build on a 69-63 win over Dartmouth last time out. Ezra Manjon leads the Commodores in scoring and assists with 16.5 PPG and 3.9 APG along with 3 RPG while Tyrin Lawrence has 13.1 PPG with 5 RPG. Ven-Allen Lubin has 10.9 PPG with 5.4 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Vandy this season. As a team, Vanderbilt is averaging 68.5 PPG on 40% shooting from the field, 29.7% from three and 72% from the foul line this season.
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt Prediction
I’m backing Alabama here. I just think Alabama’s the better team by a fair margin and a lot of times, Vanderbilt just doesn’t have what it takes to hang against the better teams in the SEC, even at home. It’s why the Commodores have found themselves in the basement of the SEC at year’s end more times than I’m sure this team would care to admit. I just think once again, the stage is too big for Vandy here, so give me Alabama to cover.
