Kentucky (21-8) vs Vanderbilt (8-21)
March 6, 2024 at 09:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky -19.5 — Over/Under: 160.5
The Vanderbilt Commodores will play the Kentucky Wildcats in a SEC game on Wednesday night at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Vanderbilt has lost four of their last five games, while Kentucky is on a three game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Vanderbilt vs Kentucky prediction.
Vanderbilt Preview
The Vanderbilt Commodores are 8-21 (3-13) this year after they lost to LSU by a score of 75-61 in their last game. Vanderbilt trailed 42-22 at halftime, but they did score 39 points in the second half in the loss. The Commodores shot 36.4% from the field and were -12 in rebounding margin in the game. Vanderbilt defeated Arkansas by a score of 85-82 in the game prior to LSU, but did lose the previous three games. The Commodores are scoring 66.7 points per game with 34.3 rebounds per game and 9.3 assists per game, while giving up 74.7 points against per game this year. Ezra Manjon is averaging 14.3 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game. Vanderbilt is shooting 39.4% from the field, 70.3% on free throws, and 28.1% on three pointers this season.
Kentucky Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats are 21-8 (11-5) this season after they defeated Arkansas by a score of 111-102 in their last game. Kentucky led 53-48 at the half and they added 58 more points in the second half for the win. The Wildcats shot 56.7% from the field and were +7 in rebounding margin in the game. Kentucky has won three games in a row and they have scored 117, 91, and 111 points in those three games. The Wildcats are scoring 89.6 points per game with 37.3 rebounds per game and 17.3 assists per game, while allowing 79.1 points against per game this season. Antonio Reeves is averaging 20 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Kentucky is shooting 49.8% from the field, 76.9% on free throws, and 40.8% on three pointers this year. Kentucky will face Tennessee after this game.
Vanderbilt vs Kentucky Betting Prediction
Kentucky comes into this game as one of the highest scoring teams in the country, but they play little to no defense. The Wildcats are 11-5 in the SEC and tied for fourth in the standings, but they need to figure it out on the defensive end of the court. Vanderbilt is 3-13 in conference play and they are second from the bottom in the standings. The Commodores are only shooting 39.4% from the field and they don’t have enough offensive firepower to get into the 80 or 90’s on Kentucky in my opinion. I actually think Kentucky is going to focus a lot more on defense in this game and I like the under here.