NCAAB Odds, Pick for Vanderbilt vs Kentucky

No. 15 Kentucky and Vanderbilt renew a SEC basketball rivalry in Rupp Arena on Wednesday, March 6 at 9 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

The Wildcats have won five of their past six to improve to 21-8 (11-5 in the SEC) this season. Meanwhile, the Commodores have had a disappointing campaign and are just 8-21.

This is a complete mismatch on paper, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a betting angle in Lexington on senior night.

After consecutive trips to the NIT quarterfinals, things haven't gone according to plan for coach Jerry Stackhouse in his fifth year with the program.

One issue is that Stackhouse’s squad has been extremely unlucky with the injury bug. Four of the Commodores’ presumed starters entering the season have missed at least one game.

In total, Vanderbilt’s expected starting five has played a grand total of 12.5 minutes together this season.

Of those still healthy, Ven-Allen Lubin has played well recently, scoring in double figures in eight of his past 10 games.

Over that stretch, the sophomore from Orlando has averaged 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He’ll need to have another big performance in this one.

Kentucky also hasn't played a complete game at full strength this season as a result of injuries. However, that hasn’t stopped John Calipari and his team from having a solid campaign.

The Wildcats are still in the hunt for another SEC regular-season title, though they have to win this game before closing out the season at first place Tennessee.

Calipari hasn’t been happy with the defense, but has to be delighted with the output of his offense as Kentucky has scored over 100 points in two of its past three games.

The leader on offense has been Antonio Reeves, who is riding a streak of five straight 20-point games and was recently named to the Wooden Award Watch List. He's the first Wildcat to do so since star Jamal Murray had 12 in a row in 2016.

Everything you need to bet like a PRO!

Eye-popping betting model edges

Sharp action signals for every slate

Player prop picks bursting with value

GO PRO NOW!

Because Kentucky doesn’t play any defense, I can’t lay this big of a number — even at home. However, we can still cash a ticket on the Wildcats' offense.

So, my best bet is for Kentucky to fly over its team total of 90 points or better, which will be posted on gameday.

In SEC play, Calipari’s team has hit this mark in 10 of 16 games, including all but one home contest. The Wildcats also racked up 109 points in their first game against the Commodores.

The Wildcats will attack from beyond the arc as Kentucky has the best 3-point shooting percentage in conference action at 40.3%.

That's not good for a Vanderbilt defense that ranks 321st in the country in the percentage of points allowed from 3s. The Commodores are also either last or 13th in the SEC defensively in AdjD, EFG, PPP and opponents’ 3-point percentage, according to BartTorvik.

In the previous matchup in Nashville, Kentucky shot over 55% from the field and made 15 shots from 3.

If you are looking for a player prop, I would expect Reeves to have another big game. The fifth-year guard should get plenty of shots on Senior Day and will be looking to extend his string of 20-point performances.

Pick: Kentucky Team Total Over 90 or Better