Vanderbilt basketball vs. Tennessee Vols: Score prediction, scouting report for rivalry game
Vanderbilt basketball changed the tenor of its 2022-23 season when Tyrin Lawrence hit a buzzer-beater to beat Tennessee in February.
With the first matchup of the two teams since then, the No. 5 Vols (14-4, 4-1 SEC) are still among the country's best teams, while the Commodores (5-13, 0-5) have completely collapsed. A lack of 3-point shooting on offense and a defense that allows opponents to make a high number of triples has largely led to Vanderbilt's demise.
Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse even acknowledged that there were likely to be a number of Tennessee fans present for the matchup at Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday (5 p.m. CT, SEC Network), saying that he hoped the Commodores could "make them have a long night."
Can lightning strike twice for Vanderbilt? Here's what to know about the matchup:
Tip-top defense
Tennessee has the nation's second-ranked defense according to KenPom. That's been the hallmark of the Rick Barnes era: not allowing opponents to score. The return of point guard Zakai Zeigler, who was limited early in the season because of a torn ACL suffered last season, has only helped in that department.
The Vols allow opponents to shoot just 43% from two (second in the SEC) and 30% from three (third). At 6-foot-11, Jonas Aidoo is a prolific shot blocker and rebounder, while Zeigler is an active on-ball defender who forces a lot of steals.
Knecht's stardom
Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht wasn't viewed as one of the biggest fish in the portal over the summer, but he's been a revelation. The 6-6 wing averages 18.8 points per game and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 40% from three.
With Colin Smith, Vanderbilt's best wing defender, out for the season, the Commodores will need to find another option to defend Knecht.
A winning streak
Prior to Lawrence's buzzer-beater, Vanderbilt had lost 11 straight games to the Vols. Now, that slate is wiped clean with a one in the win column.
Though the Commodores will be a significant underdog, that hasn't stopped these games from being close. Seven of the 11 games during the losing streak were within 10 points, and in Vanderbilt's winless conference season in 2018-19, it took the Vols to overtime. Don't write off the possibility of a surprise result.
TRANSFER CHECK-IN How Vanderbilt basketball transfers are performing from Jordan Wright to Myles Stute
Score prediction
Tennessee 84, Vanderbilt 79: The Vols will get Vanderbilt's best shot but won't be able to replicate last season's magic.
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. Tennessee: Score prediction in rivalry
