Vanderbilt vs Alabama: SEC Basketball Tournament Predictions
Written March 12, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
The Vanderbilt commodores are 19-11 this year and nobody would know it. Led by their future NBA big man AJ Ogilvy, Vandy ended the year going 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are not an explosive team by any means. They average 70 PPG but don’t often due it in impressive fashion. Ogilvy averaged 16 PPG and 7 rebounds a game this year, so often if he is matched up with a big man that either does not have the size or is not athletic enough to contain him it allows Vandy to run half court sets which works relatively easy. Jermaine Beal is the only other player worth a mention, he averages 13 PPG 4 rebounds and 3 assists. When this roster of Commodores gets broken down you might scratch your head and say. “Did this team really win 19 games?” They did, with some nice victories @ Umass, @ Auburn, vs Kentucky and a great win @ LSU. A team certainly capable, however, Vandy’s struggles came mostly against teams who play run and gun styles. They lost by 12 @ Georgia Tech, lost to Tennessee by double digits twice and lose to Florida by double digits twice (one was a 25 point loss). All of these teams share the same thing in common, an up-tempo frantic strategy to make their opponent play a track meet style of a game. Vandy must watch out and not fall right into Bama’s hands. For those of you that are interested in betting on college basketball, the line for tonight’s game is Alabama +2.5 against Vanderbilt.
The once left for dead Crimson Tide, have resurrected themselves very nicely going 4-1 in their last five games including a key victory @ Tennessee in their last conference game of the regular season. Bama is led by guard Alonzo Gee averaging 15 PPG and 7 rebounds along with forward Jamychal Green who averages 10 PPG and 7.5 rebounds. Alabama will look to make this game very uncomfortable for Vandy by using and up and down style. Wile Gee and Green have been their main guys all year, it will be guard Senario Hillman who will make the difference. He is just coming into his own and finally realizing his job is to be the floor general and set the tone. Bama not only has the talent to go to to toe with Vandy but they also have the momentum. Interim Head Coach Philip Pearson will have his bunch motivated and focused. The strategy will be to get Ogilvy in foul trouble early and make Vandy play our game. I think that just may do the trick.
Prediction: While Vandy defeated Alabama back on 2/5/09 by the score 79-74 at home, this is a completely different Bama team who is playing with much more confidence now then at any point of the year. Alonzo Gee is playing his best ball at the right time and PG Senario Hillman alongside big man JaMychal Green will help The Tide advance in round one. Bama averages more PPG then Vandy (72 for Bama & 70 for Vandy), grabs an average of three more boards per game and as important as any statistic, they are a much deeper team. Their depth will wear down Vandy. This season Vanderbilt was 12-14-1 ATS while Alabama was 12-12-1. Vanderbilt is 2-10 ATS in their last Thursday night games and the last nine meetings between these two teams the UNDERDOG is 6-2-1 ATS. Take the 2.5 with Bama and continue to collect the cash with Jordan’s picks.
Final Regular Season Records:
Vanderbilt 19-11
Alabama 17-13
Betting Line: Alabama +2.5
Jordan’s Pick: Take Alabama +2.5
Final Score prediction: (This is an estimated score, my registered pick is listed above)
Alabama 72
Vanderbilt 68
Get all of the college basketball odds for all of the tournament games this season and find even more top college basketball picks from our top rated handicappers right here at Betfirms.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- 2009 Horizon League Conference Basketball Tournament Predictions
- 2009 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions
- 2009 Mid-American Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions
- Florida vs Auburn: SEC Tournament Picks & Predictions
- 2009 Southland Men’s Basketball Tournament Predictions
One Response to “Vanderbilt vs Alabama: SEC Basketball Tournament Predictions”
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Another BEST BET of the day comes through. Unfortunately Pitt did not work out as I hoped however USC is still in action which I am confident will win. 68% of the general public likes Vandy. Jordan’s picks not only picks Bama but tells you why by breaking it down inch by inch. Stay tuned for more winners as I will be providing three daily for your convenience. Betfirms.com (Where winners are picked daily)
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