Kentucky vs Vanderbilt | Predictions

NCAA Basketball Free Pick – Saturday, February 12, 2011

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Kentucky (17-6) vs Vanderbilt (17-6)
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1:00 PM EST on CBS

Last meeting: Kentucky won both regular season meetings last season.

Kentucky’s current freshman class may not have the star power of last year but the production is not far off with names like Jones, Knight and Lamb replacing Wall, Cousins and Bledsoe.  What is missing this year is Patrick Patterson, a steady upperclassmen who helps fit the pieces all together.  Still they have amassed a very good record to this point and seem to be getting better as the season progresses.  Like most young teams the Cats struggle on the road where five of their six losses have occurred.  It hasn’t been much better on the ATS side with a road record of 3-5 as well.  Kentucky is definitely the more talented squad in this one with Vanderbilt sort of like the Wisconsin of the SEC.  Well prepared and ready to test the new version of Calipari’s young guns.

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The Commodores are always sneaky good.  Never the most talented squad in the SEC their players always improve form one year to the next.  Chief among them is sophomore shooting guard John Jenkins who is one of the best shooters in the country.  Despite his skill he doesn’t force it like some other shooters so he very quietly averages 19ppg.  Vandy has good balance this year with 4 players averaging double figures and always plays well at home.  They may struggle a little bit to match up with Kentucky’s size inside but as long as they stay within themselves and don’t force the action they will keep it close against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt is always dangerous in close games because they shoot foul shots so well (21st in the nation).

The current line on this one is Vanderbilt -1.  Vandy can certainly win but I like the way the Wildcats are improving every game…even in losses.

Prediction:  Wildcats will get down early as they adjust to the environment but once they get their bearings they will roar back to win late.  Brandin Knight will be too much for Vandy to contain at winning time.

Check out the latest College Basketball Odds here.

Score:  Kentucky 71 – Vanderbilt 68

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Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends:

• Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
• Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5.
• Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. Southeastern.
• Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.

Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Trends:

• Commodores are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Commodores are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
• Commodores are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. Southeastern.