Belmont Bruins vs Vanderbilt Commodores Point Spread Picks

The Belmont Bruins have a storied basketball program and have represened themselves with some strong teams, especially in a lower tiered conference. They will get a rare opportunity to host an SEC team on their home floor as they tame on Vanderbilt. This is a tough spot for the Bruins, who opened on the West Coast in a loss to Washington, and now travel back East to take on another superior opponent. The Commodores made quick work of Austin Peay in their opener, a game that they were never severely challenged in. While this could be a tough spot for Vanderbilt on the road vs. a capable opponent, I think they take them seriously, unlike late season match ups where the "A" game often never makes it to the floor. Make the play on Vanderbilt.

The Belmont Bruins have been one of the top mid-major programs in the country for over a decade. They won 20 games or more in five straight years, before slipping a bit last year, finishing a still respectable 19-12. Rick Byrd has four starters returning from that team, but the question is, how good are they? The bloom started coming off the rose last year, failing to reach the 20-win plateau, and they were just 7-13 ATS in their last 20 games. Vandy is also off of a 19-win season, and the biggest advantage they have is their home court. The seating is far away from the court and the optics for shooting for those unfamiliar is very troubling. It is a unique situation, one in which Vandy often benefits. They are 62-16 SU here against teams outside the SEC that don't play here often, and they have won 49 of these games by more than seven points. Play on Vanderbilt.