The Georgia Bulldogs (16-14, 7-11 SEC) clash against the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-19, 6-12 SEC) in the Southeastern Conference Tourney at Scottrade Center. The game will air on SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 136.5 points with Georgia opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Georgia Bulldogs ATS Prediction
The Commodores will be looking for a similar result after topping the Ole Miss Rebels in their last matchup, 82-69. Vanderbilt had an effective field goal percentage of 0.636 (above their season average of 0.516). Ole Miss, meanwhile, held the Commodores to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.8 (below their season average of 29.2). With 19 points on 5-for-12 shooting, Jeff Roberson was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Bulldogs played, they lost to the No. 16 Tennessee Volunteers, 66-61. Tennessee’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Georgia. The Volunteers had a rate of 6.1 (better than their season average of 15.7), while the Bulldogs posted a mark of 15.8. Yante Maten put together a solid performance for Georgia, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Georgia ranks 323rd in possessions per game (66.0) and Vanderbilt is 310th (66.5).
Vanderbilt holds records of 12-19 straight up (SU) and 8-20 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Commodores’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Georgia is 16-14 SU and 14-13 ATS. Games featuring the Bulldogs have a tendency to go under the total (59.3 percent).
Roberson and Riley LaChance have played at a high level over the last five games for Vanderbilt. Roberson has averaged 21.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, LaChance has put up 20.6 points and 4.0 assists a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Saben Lee put up 19 points and the Commodores defeated the Bulldogs 81-66, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 147 points, which was 14 points above the projected point total of 133 points. Making free throws was one of Vanderbilt’s largest advantages. They were 16-16 (100.0 percent), while the Bulldogs were just 12-19 (63.2 percent).
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Georgia Bulldogs Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Georgia, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Vanderbilt ranks 41st in three pointers attempted per game (25.7) while Georgia ranks 255th (18.8).
The Bulldogs rank 20th in rebounds per game (39.2) while the Commodores rank 217th (33.6).
Georgia averages 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 29th in the NCAA. Vanderbilt ranks 183rd in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
The Commodores rank 18th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Bulldogs rank 119th (6.1).
Georgia ranks 15th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while Vanderbilt ranks 82nd (12.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Vanderbilt is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Georgia is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Commodores’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.0, up from 1.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 68.8 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
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