Vanderbilt Commodores at Georgia Bulldogs, Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, GA
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Georgia -1  1/2
Current Line: Georgia -2 1/2
Opening Total: 140 1/2
Current Total: 140
Money Line: Georgia -145 / Vanderbilt +125

Vanderbilt at Georgia are among 8 SEC teams that are within 2 games of each other in the standings. The top two teams in each division get a bye into the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament next month. Vanderbilt is 18-6 overall, and 6-4 in conference. Vanderbilt travels to Georgia tonight. Georgia is 17-7 overall and also 6-4. The two teams are tied for second in the SEC East 2.5 games behind Florida. Vanderbilt is ranked #18 in both polls. Vanderbilt beat Georgia in Nashville, January 12 73-66. Vanderbilt also has wins over Nebraska, North Carolina, Marquette, Davidson, Ole Miss, St Mary’s (CA), Mississippi St, South Carolina, Alabama and Kentucky. Vanderbilt has won three straight including an 81-77 home victory over Kentucky Saturday. Vanderbilt has losses to West Virginia, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida. Vanderbilt has 3 losses on the road to SEC East opponents by a total of 15 points, two of them in overtime. Georgia has wins over Colorado, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi St, Arkansas, Auburn, and South Carolina. They have losses to Notre Dame, Temple, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, and Xavier in addition to the Vanderbilt loss. Georgia won at South Carolina 60-56 Saturday in their last game.

Vanderbilt leads the overall series 84-48, but Georgia is 32-26 in Athens. Vanderbilt is 4-2 straight-up in the last 6 meetings between the schools, bur Georgia is 5-1 ATS in those games. Vanderbilt is 11-2 ATS in road games the next game after scoring 80 points or more the previous game. Georgia is 3-11 ATS after a win against a conference rival.

Vanderbilt forward Andre Walker is listed as questionable versus Georgia with a foot injury. He hasn’t played since December 29. Vanderbilt is outscoring opponents 78-68 on the season.  The Commodores are shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.7% from three point range. Vanderbilt is holding opponents to 40.4% shooting from the field. Vanderbilt is shooting 75.2% from the free throw line.Vanderbilt averages 37.7 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +3. They average 13.9 assists and 13.9 turnovers a game. Vanderbilt forces 12.6 turnovers a game on defense. The Commodores average 5.3 steals and 4.8 blocks a game.  Sophomore guard John Jenkins leads the Commodores in scoring with 19.8 points a game. He also averages 3.3 rebounds, and 1 assist a game and is shooting 41.7% from 3-point range.  Forward Jeffery Taylor averages 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and leads the team in steals with 1 a game. Center Festus Ezeli averages 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and leads the team in blocks with 2.1 a game. Point guard Brad Tinsley averages 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game to lead the team. Forward Lance Goulbourne averages 7.2 points and 7 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.5 assists a game.

Georgia has no significant injuries. The Bulldogs are led by forward Trey Thompkins. Thompkins is averaging 17.6 points to lead the team, 7.6 rebounds to also lead the team, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Travis Leslie averages 14.2 points, 7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to lead the team. Guard Gerald Robinson averages 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game. Georgia is outscoring opponents 71-66 on the season. The Bulldogs are shooting 45.6% from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range. Bulldog opponents are shooting 40% from the field. They shoot 67.9% from the free throw line. Georgia averages 38.7 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +5.7. Georgia averages 15.6 assists and 13.6 turnovers a game. They force 12.7 turnovers a game on defense. Georgia averages 6.5 steals and 5.6 blocks a game.

Vanderbilt tends to struggle on the road, and they have a stretch coming up of 4 road games in their last 6. The two home games are against Tennessee and Florida, so those aren’t easy either. Neither of these teams are locks for the NCAA tournament, and a victory tonight will help bolster the resume for either team. I think this game will be close and come down to the wire.

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