On Saturday, the Vanderbilt Commodores will visit the Kentucky Wildcats in the second meeting between the teams this season. Previously, Vanderbilt dominated the first encounter on January 27, 2026, winning 80-55 at home in Nashville. Tyler Tanner and Tyler Nickel each scored 19 points for the Commodores in that College Basketball odds game. In comparison, Kentucky struggled offensively, shooting just 35% from the field.
Both teams enter the game in the middle of the pack of the SEC standings. Hence, this is a crucial late-season game for tournament positioning and bragging rights in a historic rivalry.
Vanderbilt has been one of the SEC’s breakout stories under second-year head coach Mark Byington. He has rebuilt the program into a high-scoring, guard-dominant unit.
Vandy averages 87.2 points per game (PPG), ranking among the top offenses in the conference, with efficient shooting (around 48% from the field) and strong perimeter play. Additionally, the Commodores excel in forcing turnovers (opponents average 14.5 per game) and transition scoring, thanks to their athletic backcourt.
Meanwhile, under head coach Mark Pope, Kentucky emphasizes physicality and rebounding. They play at a moderate tempo but are effective in the half-court, posting solid assist numbers (16.0 APG) and a low turnover rate (11.2 per game).
Vanderbilt Commodores at Kentucky Wildcats NCAAB Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, KY |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Vanderbilt at Kentucky Betting Odds Analysis
Correlate Vanderbilt’s high-octane attack (top-25 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency) will test Kentucky’s improved defense. The UK has held opponents under 70 points in four of its last six home games.
Of great concern is that Kentucky has struggled against elite guards, as evidenced by its blowout loss to Vanderbilt earlier, when it was outscored 45-25 in the second half.
Vanderbilt Commodores Team Overview
The Vanderbilt Commodores are 21-6 straight up, 14-12 against the spread, and 12-14 over/under the offshore betting total. Late on, Vandy has covered four out of their last seven games. While the Commodores have gone under the total in six of their previous eight matchups.
Vanderbilt has a national ranking of 17th in scoring offense, 42nd in field goal percentage, 59th in 3-point field goal percentage, 19th in free throw percentage, and 163rd in offensive rebounding. In comparison, the Commodores rank 153rd for scoring defense, 55th for field goal percentage permitted, 25th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 138th for defensive rebounding.
Kentucky Wildcats Team Overview
The Kentucky Wildcats are 17-10 straight up, 13-14 against the spread, and 13-14 over/under the college basketball total. Late on, Kentucky has covered two out of its last six games. While the Wildcats have gone over the total in four of their previous six matchups.
Kentucky has national rankings of 40th in scoring offense, 96th in field goal percentage, 144th in 3-point field goal percentage, 188th in free throw percentage, and 47th in offensive rebounding. In comparison, the Wildcats rank 196th for scoring defense, 59th for field goal percentage permitted, 71st for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 194th for defensive rebounding.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky Betting Trends
Vanderbilt covered the spread in seven of their last 11 home games. In comparison, Kentucky split its last 16 home games against the spread.
Overall, in the series between Kentucky and Vanderbilt, the Commodores got the money in seven of their last ten games with the Wildcats. Kentucky and Vandy went under the total in five of their last seven games.
Specifically, Vanderbilt covered the spread in 12 of its last 14 games against Kentucky. Four of the last seven games between the Commodores and Wildcats at Kentucky went under the total.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky SBG Free Picks
This should be a closer contest than the first meeting, with Kentucky’s home crowd and rebounding edge keeping them in it. However, Vanderbilt’s superior scoring and guard athleticism give them the slight advantage in a shootout. Expect a back-and-forth game decided in the final minutes.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky SBG Best Bet: Vanderbilt Commodores.