Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Commodores
Tuesday, 1/24/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Vanderbilt -9
Current Betting Line: Vanderbilt -8.5
Opening Total: 129
Current Total: 130
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Tennessee will look to capture its 1,500th all-time victory Tuesday night when taking on Vanderbilt inside Memorial Gymnasium, as it snapped a three-game losing streak with a 60-57 win over the Connecticut Huskies as three-point home underdogs last time out. “I think our defense gives us a chance to play with anybody,” commented Volunteers guard Skylar McBee. “You play a lot of guys, especially in this league, that are really talented offensively.” Tennessee is 6-4 ATS as an underdog this year.
The Volunteers have three starters that are averaging double figures in scoring, with sophomore guard Trae Golden leading the way in scoring 13.6 points per game. In Southeastern Conference play, Vanderbilt and Tennessee rank first and second respectively in scoring defense. There’s no question that this is quite the rivalry, with the last five meetings in the series being decided by a combined three points. The two schools are separated by just 181.63 miles. Tennessee will look to get the ball inside offensively, outscoring 13 of its 19 points in the paint during the 2011-12 campaign.
Vanderbilt had an eight game winning streak snapped by Mississippi State on Saturday, as John Jenkins led four players in double figures with 21 points. The Commodores saw an 11-point halftime lead disappear and Jenkins was unable to hit the final shot at the buzzer. “I didn’t know how much time I had when I got the ball, so I kind of just guessed,” he commented after the game. The program is outscoring opponents by an average of 12.0 points and shooting 47.9 percent from the floor in five SEC games. Vanderbilt is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Commodores have tallied a solid 11-4 record against tonight’s opponent under the direction of current head coach Kevin Stallings, including a 6-6 mark inside Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt is ranked 13th in terms of strength of schedule this year and has an RPI of 31. Senior center Festus Ezeli recorded a season high in rebounds with 14 against Mississippi State, while also chipping in with 12 points. He got his second consecutive double-double and seventh of his career.
Bettors will likely back the Volunteers due to their 4-1 ATS mark as an underdog of 7 to 12.5 points, while the Commodores are 1-6 ATS at home.
Don’t miss out on a winning season and let the college basketball handicappers at Maddux Sports line your pockets with cash. Long term packages are available now!
