Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Prediction 3/13/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Tennessee Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Commodores meet Friday in SEC Tournament college basketball action from Bridgestone Arena. Here’s a Tennessee vs Vanderbilt prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Tennessee vs Vanderbilt pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview

The Vols opened up their year with a 12-6 overall record, then won eight of the next nine games. Those victories were over Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. Since then Tennessee is 2-3 with losses to Missouri, Alabama and Vanderbilt among wins over South Carolina and Auburn. That gives the Volunteers a 22-10 overall run this season.

In the tournament game versus Auburn on Thursday the Vols were facing a seven-point deficit 32-25 at the break. Tennessee stormed back in the second half on a 47-30 run and eventually powered out the comeback victory 72-62 to move on. Leading team scorer Nate Ament put up 27 points with eight boards and four assists while Ja’Kobi Gillespie had 15 points with three assists.

Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Preview

Over on the Vanderbilt side, they opened the season on a great 16-0 run, then took losses to Texas, Florida and Arkansas in the next trio. A 5-1 run came next with a lone loss to Oklahoma, then a 1-3 stretch with losses to Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. Vanderbilt has since taken out Ole Miss and Tennessee in their most recent pair, giving the team a 24-7 run this year.

In the Tennessee game last weekend the Commodores left the floor after the first half sporting a 32-22 advantage on the scoreboard. The Vols came back in the second half on a 60-54 run, but Vanderbilt managed to hang on in the end with an 86-82 road victory. Leading the team in the win was Tyler Tanner with 25 points, three rebounds and three assists with three steals.

Tennessee Volunteers @ Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Trends: March 13, 2026

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Vanderbilt has won five of its last six games as an AP-ranked team at neutral venues.
• Tennessee has lost four of its last five games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
• Vanderbilt has won the first half in 16 of its last 18 day games as an AP-ranked team.

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

• Vanderbilt has lost each of its last four day games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Tennessee has won 15 of its last 18 games against Vanderbilt.
• Tennessee has won the first half in eight of its last nine Friday games against the Southeastern Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Vanderbilt’s last nine games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 151+ points.
• Five of Tennessee’s last six games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Vanderbilt ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (122.3).
• Vanderbilt ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for points per possession this season (1.22).
• Tennessee ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (42.6).
• Tennessee is one of only six teams to reach the Sweet 16 in each of its last three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Prediction

I’ll lean toward Vanderbilt but you could make a case either way. The Commodores put together a pretty nice win in their most recent game versus Tennessee, hitting 52.9 percent from the field with 50 percent (5-of-10) from outside and 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the line. Vanderbilt did cough up 14 turnovers and got outfoxed in the paint 40-30, however. Still, the Commodores have won three of their last four games, scoring 77 or more points in all four of those.

These teams last met up back on March 7 in an 86-82 road loss for the Commodores. In that game Vanderbilt shot very well on 52.9 percent from the field and 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the line. That said, the Commodores did get out-rebounded 38-31 and outmuscled in the paint 40-30 alongside 14 turnovers for 13 Volunteers points. This tournament rematch could go either way, and should be a fun matchup to watch.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Vanderbilt Commodores +1.5