Tennessee Volunteers (13-2) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (8-7)
Game Info: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 9:00 pm (Thompson-Boling Arena)
Betting Odds: Tennessee Volunteers -19 -- Over/Under: 131.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Vanderbilt Commodores will make the three-hour trip to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers in SEC play from the T-B Arena on the SEC Network. Tennessee and Vanderbilt have faced off 155 times, and the Vols hold an all-time series lead of 90-65.
Vanderbilt dropped to 8-7 after losing to Missouri in Columbia. The Commodores nearly upset the Tigers at home, but they’d fall by three points after a strong effort. Vandy is scoring 71.6 points per game, while allowing 68.1 ppg, and shooting 43.7% from the floor.
Vanderbilt was very impressive in the near-loss to Missouri, but they will face an uphill battle in Knoxville. The Commodores play through fifth-year senior Liam Robbins. The 7’ center scored a season-high 22 points in the win over SC, and he leads Vandy in scoring (12.9) and rebounding (6.2). Swingman Jordan Wright scored 22 points against St. Mary’s, and he’s second on the team in scoring at 10.1 ppg.
Tennessee improved to 13-2 following a road win over South Carolina. The Volunteers fared much better than their in-state foes in Columbia last weekend, as they blew out the Gamecocks, 85-42. Tennessee is scoring 75.4 points per game, while allowing 52.5 ppg, and shooting 44.2% from the floor.
Tennessee came away from non-conference play with wins over Kansas, USC, and Maryland, and they look like real players in the SEC. The Vols thrive on the defensive end, and it’s been a collective effort offensively. Santiago Vescovi is starting to pick things up, and after going for a career-high 22 points in the win over Ole Miss he leads the Vols in scoring at 12.8 ppg. Fellow four-year starter Josiah-Jordan James (9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg) returned to the lineup in the win over Mississippi State. Freshman forward Julian Phillips leads the team in rebounding (5.4), while scoring 10.1 ppg.
Vanderbilt is 6-9 against the spread this season, with a 9-7 over/under record. Tennessee is 9-6 ATS this year, with a 5-10 o/u record.
Tennessee has hounded opponents defensively this season, and we should see more of the same from them here. Vandy put up a great effort versus a talented Missouri team, but this won’t fare in their favor of a shootout. The Vols should be able to neutralize big Liam Robbins, and it could be another one-sided low-scoring affair. Let’s hope the Vols run it up, and take Tennessee’s spread for this in-state battle.