Vanderbilt Commodores vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/19/2025

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Venue:  Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

Where to Watch:  SEC Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Vanderbilt +5.5, Kentucky -5.5; Over/Under:  160.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Vanderbilt +5.5, Kentucky -5.5; Over/Under:  160.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Vanderbilt +5.5, Kentucky -5.5; Over/Under:  160.5 points

Vanderbilt Commodores:  17-8 (5-7) (10th place, SEC)

Kentucky Wildcats:  17-8 (6-6) (9th place, SEC)

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Vanderbilt Commodores:  1-4  last 5

Kentucky Wildcats:  2-3  last 5

Vanderbilt is entering this game with a 17-8 record overall, a 5-7 record in conference games, and they are 2-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Tennessee Volunteers in their last game. Jason Edwards led the team in points per game in that game with 24 while Jaylen Carey was next on the team with 18. AJ Hoggard led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Jaylen Carey led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 45.8% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.6 PPG against them. Vanderbilt has an ATS record of 15-10 this season and their O/U record is 13-12.

Kentucky is entering this game with a 17-8 record overall, a 6-6 conference record, and they are 13-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Texas Longhorns in their last game. Otega Oweh led the team in points in that game with 20 while Amari Williams was next on the team with 18. Amari Williams and Travis Perry each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Amari Williams led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 41.9% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 76.3 PPG against them. Kentucky has an ATS record of 13-12 this season and their O/U record is 14-11.

The current betting odds have Kentucky listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kentucky has looked good in their games this season with their 17-8 record overall, but their 6-6 conference record has them right in the middle of the SEC. They have looked great on their home court this year with their 13-2 home record. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has looked good in their games this season with their 17-8 record overall, but their 5-7 conference record has them in the middle of the SEC. They haven't been a good road team this season either with their 2-5 road record. They are coming off a loss to Tennessee in their last one, blowing a big lead in that game, and they haven't looked good lately either as they are 1-4 in their last 5 games. Kentucky hasn't been that much better as they are 2-3 in their last 5 games and coming off a loss to Texas in their last one, but Kentucky is still ranked inside the top 25 and these are the kinds of games that they need to win. They have a chance to push themselves into the top half of the SEC with a win here and they have looked a lot better at home lately. They won their last 2 home games by double digits and they can take advantage of Vandy in a bad situation here, coming off a game against their rival which they put a ton of effort into winning. Kentucky will bring their best effort here at home to bounce back and take care of business in a game they should win with no issues. The best way to place a bet here is on Kentucky to cover the spread in this game. 

Vanderbilt Kentucky Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Wednesday, February 19, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Kentucky 76 Vanderbilt 64.

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Vanderbilt Commodores: 17-10 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 15-8 1H ATS as a road underdog or pick. 24-14 1H ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 4-1 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 9-2 1H OVER versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 37% of their attempts or more.

Kentucky Wildcats: 7-12 ATS versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game. 4-7 ATS versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of 45% or more. 25-45 1H ATS as a favorite. 10-1 OVER as a home favorite of 6 points or less or pick. 8-2 OVER off a road loss. 25-14 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Vanderbilt Commodores:  A. Hemenway (G) Out - Undisclosed.

Kentucky Wildcats:  L. Butler (G) Doubtful - Shoulder. J. Robinson (G) Questionable - Wrist. K. Kriisa (G) Out - Foot.

“Well, the Oklahoma one I think was an anomaly. I don’t think that’s us. That was a one time thing this year. But at the same time, these teams are going to come back. They’re gonna come make adjustments, they’re gonna come with fury. You know, we’re there in a possession game against a really good team. Then at the same time, I think a lot of times it gets over exaggerated, the halftime score and things like that. We gotta be winning by one at the end. That’s what we’re not doing a couple times.” - Mark Byington after his team’s loss against Tennessee in their last game. 

”He (Butler) still hasn’t practiced with live play, but for him, it’s just a matter of how far along does he have to get where he could actually take a hit in the game. That’s the biggest question for him. That’s going to be a little bit of a guessing game. We’ll try and get him some live stuff in practice over the next week or so.” - Mark Pope on the injury to Lamont Butler.

J. Edwards 

A. Hoggard 

C. Manon 

D. McGlockton 

T. Nickel

L. Butler 

A. Carr 

O. Oweh 

J. Robinson 

A. Williams

PPG: J. Edwards (17.4)

APG: A. Hoggard (4.6)

Reb/G: D. McGlockton (8.1)

PPG: O. Oweh (16)

APG: L. Butler (4.6)

Reb/G: A. Williams (8.8)

Coaches:

Vanderbilt Commodores: Mark Byington (1st season)

Kentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope (1st season)