The Vanderbilt Commodores take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Mississippi. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on SECN+.
Vanderbilt is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -350. The total is set at 159.5 points.
Here’s my Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State predictions and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State Prediction
My Pick: Vanderbilt -7.5
My Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State best bet is on the Commodores to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State Odds
| Vanderbilt Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | -350 |
| Mississippi St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | +275 |
- Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State spread: Vanderbilt -7.5
- Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State over/under: 159.5 points
- Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State moneyline: Vanderbilt -350, Mississippi State +275
Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State College Basketball Betting Preview
Vanderbilt Basketball
Vanderbilt has lost three games in a row after starting the season 16-0, which now puts it at 16-3 overall and 3-3 in the SEC.
The glaring problem for the Commodores is their lack of size on the interior. Arkansas had 50 points in the paint against them (including 13 dunks), Florida had 40 points and Texas had 30 points.
With no interior defense, the guards are asked to play a near-perfect game. Even though Tyler Tanner struggled against Arkansas, he scored 11 points, which means he has scored in double figures in every game this season.
As much as this matchup is a get-right game for Tanner, the same can be said about Duke Miles, who continues to be in foul trouble in SEC play. Miles had to sit for most of the first half against Arkansas due to two quick fouls.
In two SEC games this season, he has fouled out and even finished the LSU game with four fouls.
Tanner and Miles are due for big-time performances, and what better opponent to do that against than one that struggles to play defense against guards.
Mississippi State Basketball
Mississippi State has lost four in a row, which now has it at 10-9 overall and 2-4 in SEC play.
Josh Hubbard has the greenest light in college basketball, averaging 21.7 points on 17 shots per game. It comes as no surprise that Mississippi State has the worst efficient field goal percentage in conference play (46.3%) thanks to its shot selection.
6-foot-8 255-pound senior Brandon Walker had his best game of the season in the loss against Texas A&M, scoring 16 points in 19 minutes. In six of the previous seven games, Walker played single-digit minutes.
With Vanderbilt still looking for answers with its interior defense and trying to eliminate points in the paint, look for Walker to have consecutive games of playing double-digit minutes.
Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State Betting Analysis
This is a good spot for Vanderbilt to have a bounce-back performance.
After scoring 68 points at Arkansas, Vanderbilt's offense will pick itself up off the mat against an underwhelming Mississippi State defense that has struggled to turn offenses over all season.
As good as Hubbard is at getting his shot off, Miles and Tanner have some of the quickest hands in the SEC and will disrupt Mississippi State's offensive rhythm.
On top of that, our Action PRO projections have this line at -10, giving us nearly three points of value. Our model gives this pick a grade of a B-, which is strong.
Vanderbilt gets back in the win column with an impressive performance on the road.
My Pick: Vanderbilt -7.5
