Vanderbilt basketball vs Boston College: Score prediction, scouting report for ACC/SEC Challenge

In the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge, Vanderbilt basketball will host Boston College in a battle of two teams that have so far struggled to get going.

The Eagles (4-2) have wins over Richmond and Harvard but lost both the games of their Thanksgiving tournament to Colorado State and Loyola Chicago.

The Commodores (3-3) also lost both games of their Thanksgiving tournament to NC State and Arizona State.

Vanderbilt has been plagued with injury lately, with Ezra Manjon and Colin Smith missing the second game of the Vegas Showdown. Their availability for the game Wednesday (8:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network) is unclear.

Lee Dort has also been suspended from the team after being arrested for aggravated assault by strangulation Sunday. Dort will be away from the team pending the conclusion of the legal process.

Here's what to watch for in the matchup:

Can Vanderbilt make threes?

Across six games, the Commodores have made only 29% of their 3-pointers, a well below-average clip. Tyrin Lawrence's return should help, as he shot 36% a year ago. Paul Lewis and Smith, if he plays, could be due for some positive regression as well.

But especially with Vanderbilt allowing opponents to make 3-pointers at a 40% clip, good shooting beyond the arc will be vital to success.

Does Vanderbilt have its starting five?

Last week, Manjon was dealing with an ankle injury and Smith with a concussion. It's unclear the timetable for return, but if both are back, Vanderbilt could have its intended starting five (Manjon, Lawrence, Evan Taylor, Smith and Ven-Allen Lubin) for the first time all season.

All five of those players have flashed good things when on the court, but they haven't yet gotten on the court together this season. If they all play, it will give Vanderbilt a better idea of how good the team could be as SEC play approaches.

Can Vanderbilt contain Quentin Post?

Boston College's leading scorer, Quentin Post, is a 7-foot center who averages 20.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Beyond his height, Post can shoot, making 11-of-23 3-pointers and hitting 91% of his free throws.

Without a true center on the roster, the Commodores may struggle to defend Post. Dort's suspension has left Vanderbilt with its tallest player being 6-9 freshman Carter Lang.

VEGAS SHOWDOWN Making sense of Vanderbilt basketball's slow start, injuries and 0-2 finish in Vegas

Score prediction

Vanderbilt 84, Boston College 78: This figures to be a high-scoring game, but against a Boston College team that has struggled, at Memorial Gymnasium, this is a good opportunity for the Commodores to get a win.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball vs Boston College prediction, scouting report