Alabama vs Vanderbilt Prediction and Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide is back at home for three of the next four games and will look to stay on track after the big win over the weekend as it welcomes Vanderbilt to Coleman Coliseum. Read more for a complete Alabama vs Vanderbilt prediction and preview.

Alabama basketball is coming off a big victory with its first road victory over a top-10 Kentucky since January 26th, 2002, after a 102-97 win and now welcome Vanderbilt to Tuscaloosa and look to start out a new home winning streak after dropping last week’s game at home.

“This is a very good Vanderbilt team,” said head coach Nate Oats.

Game Information:

Teams: Alabama (15-3, 4-1) and Vanderbilt (15-3, 3-2)

Tip-Off:  6 p.m. CST ( 7:00 EST)

Where to Watch: SEC Network

How to Listen: Tide 100.9

Latest on Vanderbilt Basketball:

The Vanderbilt Commodores are entering year one under Mark Byington, who was at James Madison before arriving in Nashville. The Dores are off to a 15-3 start. The roster is built with a majority of transfers with only two freshmen.

So far this season, Vanderbilt’s marquee victories in non-conference play came in wins over TCU 83-74 and to Seton Hall 76-60. So far in SEC play, it has beaten LSU, lost to Mississippi State, lost to Missouri, beaten South Carolina, and most recently knocked off top-10 Tennessee at home inn a 76-75 win where North Texas transfer Jason Edwards had 18 points, and James Madison transfer Jaylen Carey had 14 points off the bench.

The Commodores have four guys who average double figures: Edwards, AJ Hoggard from Michigan State, Devin McGlockton from Boston College, and Tyler Nickel from Virginia Tech.

 This season, Edwards leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 PPG. McGlockton leads the Dores on the glass, averaging 7.9 RPG as a 6″7  undersized wing. Hoggard leads the team, averaging 4.4 APG.

The Commodores run a nine-man rotation, with all nine guys averaging double-digit minutes every game.

Per KenPom, the Commodores are ranked 41st in offensive efficiency numbers and just inside the top 70  at 69th in defensive efficiency. The team is the thirteenth-ranked team in its conference in the rankings by the numbers. The team averages around 82.1 PPG and shoots 32.5% from the three-point line.

Last year, Vanderbilt finished 9-23 (4-14 in conference play).

Latest on Alabama Basketball:

Alabama is coming off a big win on the road, and where it got back on the right track offensively with another game in the triple digits. Grant Nelson led the team in scoring last time out with 25 points after struggling the previous three games.

Chris Youngblood, Aden Holloway, and Mouhamed Dioubate have all provided sparks on both ends of the floor off the bench and can all be counted on to be in the game if needed in the final four minutes.

Derrion Reid is questionable for Tuesday after missing the Ole Miss game.

“He will probably be questionable for tomorrow, and if you bring him back too fast, it can be season-long lingering,” said Oats.

Sears continues to lead the team in scoring, is up to 18.9 PPG on the season after finishing with 24 points in the last game. Nelson continues to be a force around the glass in the rebounding department, now having seven games with double-digit rebounds and currently, averaging 8.7 RPG. Sears leads the team in assists at 4.8 APG, whereas the team averages 17.3 APG.

Per KenPom, Alabama is back in the top five  at 4 in offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, the team has an efficiency ranking of 43, down 10 spots from the last game. Alabama is averaging 90.2 PPG while shooting 32.4% from three. The Tide continue to lead the country in points per game.

Alabama vs Vanderbilt prediction: Crimson Tide by 15

Alabama will be in for another challenge, but after last week’s letdown at home it will stay locked in and pull away late in an 85-70 win over the Commodores.