SEC Tournament, Texas vs Vanderbilt: NCAA Basketball Best Bets

We watched the SEC beat up on each other all year long. And now we get to watch teams do it in the conference tournament as well! The Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores meet in the first round in Nashville, and both teams are fighting for their tourney hopes.

Texas is currently a first four out team. They certainly need a couple of wins to get in. Vanderbilt is slotted as an 11 seed currently, but the potential for bid stealers means they need to make their resume as good as possible. The Longhorns already lost to Vandy on the road about a month ago, 86-78. We saw a total of 149 soar over, with 164 total points being scored. Will we see more fireworks at Bridgestone Arena?

Texas Longhorns vs Vanderbilt Commodores: SEC First Round

Matchup Information – Texas vs Vanderbilt

• Venue & Location: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
• Date: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025
• Tip Off: 3:30pm Eastern
• Broadcast: SEC Network

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Texas +2 (-105)
• Vanderbilt -2 (-115)

Total

• Over 148.5 (-110)
• Under 148.5 (-110)

Longhorns Meet Commodores in Nashville

The first meeting did not go the way the Longhorns would have hoped. It was towards the beginning of a 2-7 meltdown to end conference play, where they only beat Kentucky and Mississippi State. I’ll admit those are two good wins, but Texas was ranked in the preseason. Their season has not been one to remember.

Now they are fighting for tourney hopes, and they face a very motivated Vanderbilt team in their own city. The Commodores started off 13-1 and were ranked before dropping some games in SEC play. They are still a Top 20 offense overall and are Top 30 at taking care of the basketball. Defensively, they are 277th in eFG%, 305th in FT Rate defense and bottom 25 in 3P% Defense. Vandy loves to run, ranking Top 60 in possessions per game and will certainly speed things up.

This will be great for the over, as even though the Longhorns play slower, their offense is rock solid, and will make great use of the extra possessions.

Texas Longhorns vs Vanderbilt Commodores Best Bets

Texas vs Vanderbilt Prediction: Vanderbilt Wins & Covers, Over 148.5

Best Bets: Texas/Vandy Over 148.5 (-110) BetOnline

Who doesn’t love rooting for points? Although the Longhorns fell off, they rank 53rd overall offensively and also take great care of the basketball. Both teams are going to get good looks each time down the court, and they should spend plenty of time at the free throw line.

The Longhorns not only rank Top 60 in 3P% offensively, they are also 291st in FT Rate defense. We saw 49 combined free throw attempts in the first meeting, and I think that only increases with these foul happy teams. We also saw 52 combined three point attempts, with both teams shooting over 33% from deep. Both offenses should be clicking again in this rematch, as the Commodores pull out a close one.

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