Kentucky will look for its third straight SEC title and 28th overall when they battle Vanderbilt in the SEC final.
The Wildcats can improve on its 32-1 record on Sunday at New Orleans Arena and nail down a top Madness seed. And they come in favored by 8 points at online sportsbooks such as Sportsbook.
The Wildcats sit at 32-1 (13-19 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Commodores are currently 23-10 (16-13 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Kentucky is 12-17-2 OU, and Vanderbilt is 12-17 OU.
View Vanderbilt vs Kentucky Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back visiting Vanderbilt before tip-off in this one found them as 6.5-point underdogs but the number climbed quickly to -8 at Sportsbook. The total was 137.5 at Sportsbook and other sportsbooks.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Wildcats - Commodores odds would favor the Wildcats if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Kentucky is rated No. 2 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Vanderbilt is at No. 27. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 87-76 win for the Wildcats.
How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Kentucky has the nation's No. 20-rated offensive output, at 77.1 PPG. The visiting Commodores defense ranks No. 110 allowing on average 65 PPG. The Wildcats FG% has averaged 48.7% so far, more than the Commodores marksmen have achieved on the year, 46% per game.
Defensively, Vanderbilt features the nation's No. 166-rated defense on the road, allowing 69.2 points per game. Kentucky, meanwhile, comes in at No. 33 nationally in scoring at home.
Vanderbilt was a 65-53 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Mississippi. They covered the 7-point spread as favorites. Vanderbilt earned a 65-53 victory over Mississippi on Saturday, getting 23 points from John Jenkins at New Orleans Arena.
Last time out for Kentucky, they were a 74-71 Sportsbook as they battled Florida at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 9-point favorite. The Wildcats grabbed a 74-71 win over the Gators on Saturday, behind a 16-point effort from Doron Lamb at New Orleans Arena.
Vanderbilt Commodores Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
After playing Mississippi are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Kentucky Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
After playing Florida are 9-1
After a win are 10-0
A few Commodores at Wildcats trends to consider:
Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Kentucky is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vanderbilt
Kentucky is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games