Vanderbilt vs Memphis Odds, Pick
| Vanderbilt Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -110 | 150.5 -110o / -110u | +900 |
| Memphis Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -110 | 150.5 -110o / -110u | -1600 |
Memphis and Vanderbilt share the same state, but that may be the only similarity between the programs. However, we can still find betting value in this matchup, so here's Vanderbilt vs Memphis odds and a pick for Saturday.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt nearly made the NCAA Tournament a season ago, but left that momentum in 2022-23. The Commodores are 4-7 with home losses against Western Carolina and Presbyterian on the schedule. Vanderbilt also lost all five games against high-major opponents — four of which came by double-digits.
The roster isn't great and injuries have set the season back. Starting frontcourt players Colin Smith and Ven-Allen Lubin missed the last game against WCU. Lubin's injury doesn't seem long-term, but Smith tore his Achilles and is out for the year. Those injuries have pressed freshman Carter Lang into major minutes. Lang doesn't look prepared for the physicality of D1 basketball at this point in his career and although that's not uncommon for first-year players, most get a chance to acclimate is a lesser role.
Vanderbilt also struggles on defense. It ranks 257th in defensive efficiency, and opponents shoot over 40% from 3. That's a recipe for disaster against Memphis's dominant offense.
Commodores' star guard Tyrin Lawrence missed four games with injury, but has struggled in his first seven games. He's averaging only 12.9 points on 39% shooting (24% from 3), numbers that are down from a season ago. Vanderbilt has no hope of turning its season around unless Lawrence figures it out.
Memphis Tigers
Memphis have won four consecutive games, including three over top-25 opponents. That's why Memphis looks the part of a top-15 team moving forward. Memphis is equally good on both ends, ranking 35th in offensive efficiency and 20th in defensive efficiency.
Star guard David Jones morphed into an All-American candidate in his first season at Memphis, averaging 20.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who recently transferred from Kansas State, will debut for Memphis on Saturday after getting enrolled into the school this week. He started all 35 games for a Kansas State team that made the Elite Eight last season. Tomlin will probably play limited minutes in his first game, but he'll ultimately play a major role on this team.
One through five, Memphis holds an advantage over Vanderbilt. We know the Tigers will win, but will they cover the spread?
Vanderbilt vs. Memphis
Betting Pick & Prediction
Vanderbilt is 3-8 ATS, one of the worst marks in the country.
KenPom thinks this line is a little too low as the world's favorite metric favors Memphis by 20 points. I also feel Memphis is about 20 points better. So, if you can get Memphis giving 18 to 19.5 points, go ahead and lay the number. Fading Vanderbilt has been a profitable venture thus far, and there's no reason to stop.
Pick: Memphis -18 (Play to -19.5)
