This Tuesday, as the NCAA season winds down, a big SEC matchup will take place when the Florida Gators host the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Vanderbilt Commodores (22-6, 11-3 2nd in SEC) @ Florida Gators (20-9, 9-5 t-3rd in SEC)
NCAA Basketball Odds: (*note lines are approximated as they have not been posted at the time of writing)
Spread: Vanderbilt -1.5
Over/Under: 150
Money Line: Vanderbilt -135, Florida +110
Why Florida will win
Florida is coming off a bad loss at Georgia where their comeback attempt fell just short on Saturday 78-76. The Gators who are still on the fringe of being a NCAA team at 20-9, could not afford to loss to a sub.500 team, even if Georgia is 12-3 at home. Florida's schedule does not get any easier as they have the second ranked in the SEC Vanderbilt Commodores Tuesday and league leading Kentucky left on the regular season schedule. A 20-11 finish may not be enough to go dancing. Florida would be safe if they can win this game.
To do so the Gators will need a big day from their talented guards, Kenny Boynton (13.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists) and Erving Walker (13.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists). These guys may be needed more for their defense in this one as the big men of Florida are superior to Vanderbilt's. Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus are juniors who have begun to show some superior athleticism. This Florida team seems to be a year away from a serious run but they can make some noise if they get into the tournament. This game would be a nice addition to the resume.
Why Vanderbilt will win
Vanderbilt has won five of their last six (including a 2 point loss to Kentucky 58-56) games and are gearing up for both the SEC and NCAA tournament. As they vie for seeding, a loss here would certainly hurt Vanderbilt's hopes of a top 4 seed. Many view the SEC as a weak league, although there is a bevy of talented guard play throughout.
The Commodores are led by senior guard Jermaine Beal (14.6 points, 3.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds) and sophomore guard Jeffrey Taylor (14.3 points, 1.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds).Vanderbilt is a very deep team and has already beaten Florida once this year on January 9th (95-87).Junior Center A.J. Ogilvy scored 24 in that one.
Bookmakers Review: Prediction
Vanderbilt is comfortable with making the NCAA tournament at this point and has been on a roll for a month. Florida's ride has been bumpier. Vanderbilt has guys that can put up points in a hurry on you and Florida showed as recently as Saturday that they have the ability to comeback, although they fell just short against Georgia, it was a respectable effort on the road. Florida needs this game or they will have to either upset Kentucky or win a couple games in the SEC tournament to be safely in the NCAA tournament as a four game slide to end the season would be a likely death nail in their tourney hopes. Look for Florida, who matches up well with Vanderbilt to come away with this game.
Final: Florida 80 – Vanderbilt 76
Sportsbook Review: Take the Gators and the over.
