SEC Basketball: Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky preview, prediction, TV schedule
By Taylor Sturm
The Vanderbilt Commodores travel to face the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington in a game that could decide whether or not Bryce Drew and Co. make it to the Big Dance.
TV Schedule: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Arena: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Two weeks ago, no one in their right mind would have had the Vanderbilt Commodores in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. This week, Vanderbilt head into Rupp Arena to face the Kentucky Wildcats firmly on the bubble.
The Commodores currently sit at 16-13 (9-7 SEC), but have reeled off four straight wins, including a home victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks and a road victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. A win against Kentucky would do wonders to their already iffy chances at March Madness, so expect them to come into this game extremely focused.
Kentucky, on the other hand, are flexing their muscles at the right time. After a run of three losses in four games a few weeks ago, the Wildcats have won six straight games, including an impressive victory over the Florida Gators. While fading out of the national scene a bit – as much as Kentucky actually ever can – the Wildcats are slowly building up to what should be a fantastic March.
For me, Vanderbilt need a miracle to make the Big Dance. With games remaining against Kentucky and the Florida Gators, it is highly likely that they lose their next two games and enter the post-season 16-15. If this scenario comes to pass, the Commodores will need to at least make it to the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament and only lose to Kentucky or Florida.
Vanderbilt are hot right now, but I don’t see them winning this one in Rupp.
Prediction: Kentucky 85, Vanderbilt 72
Can the Commodores pull off the upset at home against Florida next? I like their chances in that match-up more than this one, but a trip to the NIT under first-year coach Bryce Drew would not be a failure.