Tennessee Volunteers vs Vanderbilt Commodores Picks and Prediction for Friday March 13 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/13/2026, 01:25 AM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers face the Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinal on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET with television coverage on ESPN. According to DraftKings, Vanderbilt is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 147.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and betting insights.

Tennessee Looking to Carry Momentum into Rivalry Clash

Tennessee enters the SEC Tournament Quarterfinal with a 22-10 overall record and an 11-7 mark in SEC play. The Volunteers advanced to this round after recently winning over Auburn 72-62 in the tournament second round. Over their last five games, Tennessee has recently won over Auburn and South Carolina while recently losing to Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Missouri.

On the season, Tennessee averages 80.1 points per game while allowing just 69.2 points per contest. The Volunteers shoot 47% from the field and average 42.6 rebounds and 17.1 assists per game. Defensively, Tennessee contributes 3.5 blocks and 7.6 steals per contest while often using rebounding and defensive pressure to limit second-chance opportunities.

In the win over Auburn, Nate Ament led Tennessee with 27 points while also leading the team on the glass with eight rebounds. Tennessee shot 43% from the field and forced Auburn into difficult offensive possessions while committing only six turnovers. With the Volunteers playing on a short turnaround after that victory, maintaining their defensive intensity and rebounding effort will be critical against a high-scoring Vanderbilt team.

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Vanderbilt Rested After Earning Tournament Bye

Vanderbilt enters the SEC Tournament Quarterfinal with a 24-7 overall record and an 11-7 conference mark. The Commodores earned a bye into the quarterfinal round after finishing near the top of the conference standings. Over their last five games, Vanderbilt has recently won over Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Georgia while recently losing to Kentucky and Tennessee earlier in the stretch.

On the season, Vanderbilt averages 86.9 points per game while allowing 75.1 points per contest. The Commodores shoot 48% from the field and average 35.8 rebounds and 16.4 assists per game. Defensively, Vanderbilt contributes 4.7 blocks and 8.3 steals per contest while often creating transition opportunities through defensive pressure.

In their most recent matchup, an 86-82 win over Tennessee, Tyler Tanner led the Commodores with 25 points while Jalen Washington led the team with eight rebounds. Vanderbilt shot an impressive 53% from the field and converted 27 free throws in that victory. With the benefit of rest from the tournament bye and confidence from their recent win over Tennessee, the Commodores enter this rivalry matchup with strong momentum.

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Pick

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Spread Pick

Pick: Vanderbilt -1.5

Vanderbilt enters this matchup with the advantage of rest and already holds a recent win over Tennessee. The Commodores’ offensive efficiency and ability to get to the free-throw line proved critical in the previous meeting, and their scoring depth makes them difficult to defend for a full 40 minutes. Tennessee will likely compete well on the boards, but with Vanderbilt playing at home in Nashville and possessing a slightly more explosive offense, the Commodores have the edge to cover the small spread.

Tennessee vs Vanderbilt Total Pick

Pick: Over 147.5

I like the over in this matchup because both teams have shown the ability to score at a high level, particularly Vanderbilt which averages nearly 87 points per game. Their recent meeting finished with 168 total points, showing that both teams can generate plenty of offensive opportunities. Tennessee’s rebounding advantage and Vanderbilt’s perimeter shooting should keep the pace active, giving this matchup a strong chance to surpass the total.

Final Score Prediction: Vanderbilt 82, Tennessee 79

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