KSR's Roundtable Predictions/Props for Vanderbilt vs. LSU

DrewFranklinKSR

Curveball! We’re doing our first roundtable of predictions and props for a non-Kentucky game because tonight’s matchup of Vanderbilt versus LSU will determine Kentucky’s first opponent at the SEC Tournament. For the record, Vanderbilt is a 4.5-point favorite out in the desert (and here in Tennessee, where sports betting is not only legal, it is encouraged) and our pal Ken Pomeroy gives Vandy a 70 percent chance of advancing to the quarterfinals to face the Wildcats.

Here in the SEC Tournament media center, we have our best guesses as to how the nightcap in Bridgestone Arena will play out a little later this evening. We don’t pretend to be Vanderbilt or LSU experts, but we are official enough to have tournament badges with our faces on them, so our guess is as good as any you will find on the internet.

Vanderbilt-LSU Prop Sheet

Which team will advance to play Kentucky:
Score Prediction:
Game MVP:
KJ Williams O/U 19.5 pts:
Tyrin Lawrence O/U 14.5 pts:
Will John Calipari attend the game:
What color will Jerry Stackhouse wear:

Drew Franklin

Which team will advance to play Kentucky: Vanderbilt
Score Prediction: Vanderbilt 76, LSU 75
Game MVP: Jordan Wright
KJ Williams O/U 19.5 pts: Over
Tyrin Lawrence O/U 14.5 pts: Over
Will John Calipari attend the game: No (way too late at night)
What color will Jerry Stackhouse wear: Moleskin Mahogany

With Vanderbilt still in the NCAA Tournament conversation, I think motivation will push the Commodores over the top in a close, back-and-forth thriller in Bridgestone Arena that almost reaches midnight on the east coast. In the end, Quentin Millora-Brown scores the final two to give Vandy the victory, but not the cover, in front of a home Vandy crowd of…. hundreds. A spattering of fans from other schools who aren’t already on Broadway will boost the energy by cheering each side as they trade blows into the night. Short rest slows Vandy on Friday.

Tyler Thompson

Which team will advance to play Kentucky: Vanderbilt
Score Prediction: Vandy 72, LSU 64
Game MVP: Tyrin Lawrence
KJ Williams O/U 19.5 pts: Under
Tyrin Lawrence O/U 14.5 pts: Over
Will John Calipari attend the game: No chance
What color will Jerry Stackhouse wear: Black, gold accents

Vanderbilt’s won eight of its last nine games and, with a strong run in the SEC Tournament, could sneak into the NCAA Tournament. I’m sure Jerry Stackhouse will have his team fired up. I expect a back-and-forth game with the ‘Dores pulling away in the end. Even though Vandy beat Kentucky last week, the rematch/revenge factor could be motivation for the Cats tomorrow night; although honestly, I have zero idea what to expect. No result would surprise me.

Jack Pilgrim

Which team will advance to play Kentucky: LSU
Score Prediction: 78-74
Game MVP: KJ Williams
KJ Williams O/U 19.5 pts: Over
Tyrin Lawrence O/U 14.5 pts: Under
Will John Calipari attend the game: No (but the other assistants will)
What color will Jerry Stackhouse wear: Charcoal grey jacket with black turtleneck — it’s a bit chilly here in Bridgestone Arena

Upset alert! Vanderbilt’s luck without Liam Robbins runs out against a team with the length and athleticism to really bother the Commodores. LSU was Vanderbilt’s lone loss in its last nine games, a game the Tigers won in convincing fashion. It’s a tough matchup for Jerry Stackhouse’s squad, and currently sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble, my gut tells me Matt McMahon’s group is the reason that bubble gets popped. ‘Dores don’t have a matchup for star forward KJ Williams.

Zack Geoghegan

Which team will advance to play Kentucky: Vanderbilt
Score Prediction: 78-72
Game MVP: Jordan Wright
KJ Williams O/U 19.5 pts: Over
Tyrin Lawrence O/U 14.5 pts: Over
Will John Calipari attend the game: Heavens no
What color will Jerry Stackhouse wear: Praying for an all-tan suit look

LSU was able to “stun” Vanderbilt the last time these two teams played, but there will be no shock value on the Tigers’ side this time around. The Commodores can win without Liam Robbins and should have little issue dismantling an LSU team that I suspect will run out of gas down the stretch. Jordan Wright won’t quite have a “let’s go for 50 points at Rupp Arena” type of performance, but he’ll do more than enough to end LSU’s hopes of a Cinderella run to Sunday.