Vanderbilt vs Arkansas Predictions, Picks, and Odds: High-Scoring Showdown Hits Nashville

As we continue to gear up for March Madness odds, the SEC Conference Tournament tips off on Wednesday in Nashville with the No. 12 Vanderbilt Commodores facing the No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks.

Conference Tournament odds have the Razorbacks as 6.5-point favorites with the Over/Under at 148.5 for this first-round matchup in the SEC Tournament bracket. Here are my best free college basketball picks for Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas on March 13.

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas best odds

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas picks and predictions

The Vanderbilt Commodores have an inefficient offense but they are coming off 79 and 77-point performances in their last two games. They were able to put up points in those contests despite poor shooting and now they face an Arkansas Razorbacks side that they defeated 85-82 two weeks ago. 

Vanderbilt went just 4-16 from long range in that contest while the Razorbacks shot just 40% from the field... and they still combined for a whopping 167 points.

The Commodores are just 280th in the country in adjusted tempo but they aren't able to slow down foes. Their average length of possession on defense (16.4 seconds) is the 12th lowest number in the country. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks are 34th in adjusted tempo, so expect them to push the pace like they did in that first contest. 

The Razorbacks' offense has been red-hot and that 82-point performance against Vandy was their lowest-scoring performance in their last five contests. They are fresh off a 92-88 loss on the road against Alabama and they've averaged 90.8 points per game over that same stretch.

Both of these teams are also terrible on the defensive end of the floor, with Arkansas 125th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and Vanderbilt 192nd. Expect another fast-paced, high-scoring contest between these defensively inept squads.

My best bet: Over 148.5 (-110 at bet365)

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas same-game parlay

Over 148.5

Vanderbilt +5.5

Khalif Battle Over 21.5 points

+500 at bet365

The Commodores are bad but there isn't a big enough gulf between these teams to justify the current spread. Especially with this contest taking place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, just down the road from Vanderbilt's home floor. In addition, Vandy is 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three meetings between these SEC foes with the Commodores winning outright as underdogs in each contest.

A big reason why Arkansas has been filling up the hoop lately is the play of guard Khalif Battle. Battle has been red-hot, averaging 32.6 ppg on 51/39/93 shooting splits over the last five games. He torched Vanderbilt for 36 points in that previous meeting and while regression is likely, I still expect him to eclipse 21.5 points here.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas spread and Over/Under analysis

This line hit the board on Tuesday night with the Razorbacks installed at 6.5-point favorites and the Over/Under listed at 148.5. By Wednesday morning When these teams previously met up in Fayetteville on February 27, the Razorbacks were 10-point home favorites with the O/U at 143.5.

While this contest will take place on a neutral site, the Nashville location favors the Commodores, who play their home games 15 minutes away and should get plenty of crowd support.  

Vanderbilt wrapped up their regular season with a 79-78 win against Florida, but that was just the program's fourth win since the start of January. To be fair, the Razorbacks haven't been much better, going 6-12 in conference play. However,  Arkansas has managed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games.

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas betting trend to know

The Over is 24-10 in the Razorbacks' last 34 games (+13.00 Units / 35% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas.

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas game info

Vanderbilt vs Arkansas key injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic