Vanderbilt vs. Texas Tech score prediction, scouting report from college basketball game
When Vanderbilt basketball last played a game, it rated as the worst high-major team in the NET rankings. The Commodores are now just ahead of Louisville.
With the season in free fall, Vanderbilt (4-5) will face its third neutral-site game of the season against Texas Tech in Fort Worth on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPN+).
The Red Raiders (7-2) have wins so far against Texas A&M and Michigan but losses to Villanova and Butler. They rank 50th in KenPom and 72nd in the NET.
In its most recent game, a loss to San Francisco, the Commodores saw their top five players all healthy in a game for the first time, but it didn't help as Vanderbilt lost by 13 on Dec. 6.
Now, with finals behind them, the Commodores desperately need to stop the bleeding Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
Here's what to know about the matchup:
Will Tyrin Lawrence, Ezra Manjon return to being a dynamic duo?
Entering the season, Vanderbilt was thought to have one of the best backcourt duos in the SEC with Ezra Manjon and Tyrin Lawrence. But both players have missed time to injury and been inconsistent when on the court.
According to Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse, Manjon has been playing at less than 100% after suffering an ankle injury early in the season, and Lawrence also had a foot injury. But Stackhouse also called out Lawrence after the San Francisco game for what he saw to be a lack of effort.
A 3-point disparity
One of Vanderbilt's biggest issues has been how many 3-pointers it's given up, allowing 13 to the Dons. Meanwhile, the Commodores are shooting just 30.5% from deep themselves and their two best shooters are bench players (Jason Rivera-Torres and Tasos Kamateros).
The Red Raiders are not a great 3-point shooting team. They shoot 32.3%, and most of their players rarely or never attempt 3-pointers. But Vanderbilt will need to watch out for Kerwin Walton. Although Walton typically comes off the bench, he is shooting 59%. Giving him uncontested shots will lead to trouble.
Texas Tech's Devan Cambridge out
One of Texas Tech's starters, Devan Cambridge − the brother of Vanderbilt women's basketball player Jordyn Cambridge − is out for the season with an injury.
Cambridge was the Red Raiders' third-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder, averaging 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
In his place, Walton started Texas Tech's most recent game.
ON SAN FRANCISCO Why Jerry Stackhouse called out Tyrin Lawrence in Vanderbilt basketball loss to San Francisco
Vanderbilt basketball score prediction vs Texas Tech
Texas Tech 84, Vanderbilt 74: Having most of its lineup healthy may help Vanderbilt's offense, but the solutions have been few and far between for a porous defense.
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 score prediction vs. Texas Tech
