UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores 3/22/23 – The NIT has reached the quarterfinals, featuring No. 4 seed UAB Blazers 27-9 and No. 2 Seed Vanderbilt Commodores 22-14. Both schools have been playing outstandingly lately, but only one side can advance to Orleans Arena next week; Vanderbilt gets to host in Memorial Gymnasium on Wednesday as the higher seed. College basketball betting picks were favorable to UAB Blazers to beat their opponents.
UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Location: Memorial Gym
TV: ESP2
UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Odds
UAB
Moneyline: +120
Spread: +2.5 (-110)
Total: 152 over (-110)
Vanderbilt
Moneyline: -143
Spread: -2.5 (-110)
Total: 152 under (-110)
UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Analysis
Since late January, UAB Blazers has gone undefeated in 14 of their last 16 games – including both of their NIT matches, which they won by double-digit margins. Ty Brewer’s best scoring performance of the season – a 25-point outburst – proved enough in Sunday’s 77-59 triumph for UAB; shooting 50.0% as a team and finishing +14 on the glass should be enough to secure victory on most nights. They know how to score, scoring 81.5 points per game on average. Their efficiency is also impressive with a 35.8% clip from beyond the arc and 45.7% field goal percentage respectively. UAB also pulls down the fifth most offensive boards per game nationally at 13.4. They excel at grabbing defensive rebounds too; as evidenced by their +6.1 rebounding margin per game overall and opponents hitting only 31.8% of their threes 66th nationally; they limit opponents to 41.3% overall field goals 44th.
Since February began, Vanderbilt Commodores had won 12 of 14 games to start the year. But their season nearly came to a halt against Michigan on Saturday when they fell behind by eight with 1:45 left in the game before scoring nine points in a row to pull away and defeat the Wolverines, 66-65. Tyrin Lawrence finished with a game-high 24 points including the game-winning bucket with 11 seconds left in regulation time. Their offense is the strength of the team, ranking 25th in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings. Vanderbilt committed just 10.8 turnovers per game – top 50 nationwide – while shooting an impressive 42.9% field goal percentage and shooting 33.9% from three-point range. On defense, however, Vanderbilt only ranked 148th with adjusted efficiency due to forcing only 10.3 turnovers per game. At 335th in college basketball by giving up 11.6 per game. They’ve allowed 23 such rebounds in two NIT games so far this year. Furthermore, Vanderbilt holds opponents to 31.4% on threes, which ranks 50th nationally.
UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Against the Spread
Over is 6-0 in Blazers last 6 Wednesday games. Under is 4-1 in Blazers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above 0.600. The Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above 0.600. Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
The Commodores are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following an ATS loss. The Commodores are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above 0.600. The Commodores are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games. Over is 4-1 in Commodores last 5 games following a straight up win. The Commodores are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
UAB Blazers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Free Pick
Historically, UAB has excelled at rebounding the Commodores, especially offensively where they will create numerous second-chance scoring opportunities. The Blazers boast a tougher defense than the Commodores and an offense capable of keeping up with them. If past performances are any indicator, UAB should easily dominate in this game as per NCAAB betting experts.
Free Pick: UAB Blazers +2.5 (-110)
