It will be a battle between SEC opponents when the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-10, 1-3 SEC) welcome the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats (13-3, 3-1 SEC) to Memorial Gym. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Kentucky Wildcats at Vanderbilt Commodores Free Prediction
The last time the Wildcats played, they beat the Texas A&M Aggies, 74-73. Getting to the free throw line was one of Kentucky’s largest advantages. They made 34 trips to the line, 10 more than Texas A&M. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a key piece for Kentucky with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Commodores fell to the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers in their last contest, 92-84. Tennessee was effective at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Volunteers made 25 of their 28 free throws (89.3 percent), while the Commodores were just 15-22 (68.2 percent). With 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting, Saben Lee led Vanderbilt in scoring.
A focal point for the Vanderbilt offense is getting to the free throw line. The Commodores rank 20th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.300), but Kentucky is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 52nd by yielding a FTA rate of 0.188).
Matthew Fisher-Davis and Lee have been playing well over the last five games for Vanderbilt. Fisher-Davis has averaged 14.8 points, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Lee has recorded 13.2 points, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals a game during that span.
After the Wildcats won both matchups against the Commodores last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Kentucky won 73-67. The Wildcats had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 13.8) and had a much better turnover percentage (14.2 vs. 24.3).
Kentucky Wildcats at Vanderbilt Commodores Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Vanderbilt ranks 38th in three pointers attempted per game (26.1) while Kentucky ranks 277th (14.6).
The Commodores rank 17th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Wildcats rank 144th (13.9).
Vanderbilt ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Kentucky ranks 94th (6.3).
The Wildcats rank 22nd in blocks per game (5.4) while the Commodores rank 102nd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Kentucky ranks 61st in rebounds per game (38.5) while Vanderbilt ranks 99th in rebounds allowed per game (34.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.4, down from 8.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Commodores have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (5.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (2.9 above their season average).
