Vanderbilt and Tennessee, in-state rivals who are both comfortably into the NCAA Tournament per renowned bracketologists, square off in each school’s regular-season finale. The programs are playing for seeding in both the upcoming SEC tournament and beyond, with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Tennessee, currently in fourth place in the SEC at 11-6, can’t move any higher but would clinch the No. 4 seed and double-bye in the SEC tournament with a win. Vanderbilt, tied with three other teams at 10-7, can also earn a double-bye with a win and some help (Missouri and Kentucky losing). They can also fall all the way to the No. 10 seed with a loss.
Below, we’ll break down our Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee prediction and picks for Saturday afternoon’s game. Make your CBB picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Vanderbilt and Tennessee meet for the second time this season, with Tennessee taking the first meeting on the road in Nashville, 69-65. The teams split the season series last year; Tennessee holds an all-time 133-77 advantage.
Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee Spread, Over/Under
The Volunteers enter Saturday’s game as 2.5-point favorites, returning a 1.53x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win.
The Commodores are underdogs with a 2.5x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Tennessee Volunteers -2.5
- Over/Under: 147.5
- Game Winner Payout: Vanderbilt 2.5x | Tennessee 1.53x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee prediction on the spread for Saturday, March 7 on PrizePicks.
- Vanderbilt is 15-15 against the spread but has failed to cover in four of the last five games.
- The Commodores are an underdog for the fifth time, covering in just one of the previous four games.
- Tennessee is 13-16-1 ATS but has covered in three of the last five games, including as an underdog in Nashville against Vanderbilt on February 21.
- As a favorite, Tennessee is 10-14-1 ATS. As a favorite of 6+ points, they're 7-10 ATS.
- Per KenPom, Tennessee is rated 13th in the country with an offensive rating of 121.4 (37th) and a defensive rating of 94.9 (14th).
- The Tennessee defense is first in the SEC, holding opponents to 68.9 PPG.
Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/7/26
Here are top Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee picks to target for Saturday, March 7 on PrizePicks. Today’s college basketball picks for PrizePicks are headlined by Vanderbilt G Tyler Tanner and Tennessee G Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
Vanderbilt G Tyler Tanner vs. Tennessee Projection: 18.5 Points
- Tanner is averaging 19.0 PPG, which is fifth-best in the SEC.
- Tanner has 12 20-point games and is averaging 22.4 PPG over his last nine outings.
- One reason for Tanner’s success has been his shooting, as he has made 48.8% of his shots from the field, seventh in the SEC. As a freshman last year, he shot 46.5%.
- Tanner scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting when the teams met earlier this season.
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Tennessee G Ja’Kobi Gillespie vs. Vanderbilt Projection: 20.5 Points
- Gillespie is averaging 18.0 PPG, sixth-best in the SEC and right behind Tyler Tanner.
- In a recent top-24 transfer list on ESPN.com, Gillespie came in at No. 7 overall and ranked as the No. 2 transfer in the SEC.
- Gillespie also has 12 20-point games this year, including a 34-point outburst on 12-of-18 shooting against Texas.
- The senior guard, who also played at Belmont and Maryland, is 16th in the SEC in 3-point percentage at 34.3%
Make #24 Vanderbilt vs. #23 Tennessee Picks on PrizePicks
Saturday’s SEC finale brings an opportunity for each of these Volunteer State teams to earn a double-bye in next week’s SEC tournament. Can the Volunteers sweep Vandy and skip the first two games of the tourney, or will Vandy get revenge for an earlier home loss and sink the Vols' chances?
You can make your Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
Keep tabs on the Playbook for continued college basketball predictions, picks, and news.
