The 4th-seeded UAB Blazers (27-9) and 2nd-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores (22-14) meet Wednesday in a NIT quarterfinal at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UAB at Vanderbilt odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Blazers were bounced in the Conference USA Tournament final by Florida Atlantic, who is still alive in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. UAB has rolled in the NIT so far, topping former conference mate Southern Miss and Morehead State by 18 or more points, with an average margin of victory of 23.0 points per game (PPG).
UAB has done it with defense, allowing just 59.5 PPG, while scoring 82.5 PPG, covering both games while cashing the Under in 3 postseason games in a row.
Vanderbilt just missed out on a trip to the Big Dance, falling to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament semifinals. It has rebounded in the NIT with a pair of victories over Yale (71-62) and Michigan (66-65), splitting against the spread (ATS), while going 2-0 to the Under.
The Commodores have averaged 68.5 PPG in 2 NIT games, while allowing just 63.5 PPG.
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UAB at Vanderbilt odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:29 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UAB -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Vanderbilt -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UAB -1.5 (+105) | Vanderbilt +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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UAB at Vanderbilt picks and predictions
Prediction
Vanderbilt 71, UAB 66
Moneyline
VANDERBILT (-115) is worth a look on the moneyline, mainly due to the home-court advantage.
UAB (-115) has been dominant in this tournament to date, but wins against USM and Morehead State are a lot different than facing a mid-tier SEC team.
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Against the spread
UAB -1.5 (+105) has been strong in the NIT, but it is still just 5-16-2 ATS in the last 23 road games, while going 6-15-1 ATS in the last 22 games following a cover.
Vandy +1.5 (-125) is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 games overall, while cashing in 6 of the last 7 home games. The Commodores are also 7-2 ATS in the last 9 games against winning teams.
None need to pay more juice with such a small spread. Play the ML. PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 153.5 (-115) is the best play on the board.
Both of these teams have been about the Under in the NIT so far. UAB has allowed just 59.5 PPG, and Vandy has conceded just 63.5 PPG. Both teams play a tremendous brand of defense, and there is no way this turns into a track meet in the Music City.
The Over trends are strong for both sides, oddly enough, but the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 for the Blazers against teams with a winning percentage over .600, and 7-3 in the last 10 for the Commodores against teams with a winning percentage over .600.
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