It’s past time to put some respect on Vanderbilt’s name.
The No. 10 Commodores are 16-0, matching the best start in program history. They legitimized their flawless start by beating then-No. 13 Alabama last week. Vandy has risen into the top 10 of the AP poll for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Tonight, the Dores travel to Texas (10-6, 1-2 SEC), which just delivered its biggest win of the season — a 92-88 win at Alabama. Tip-off is at 9 pm, ET (ESPN2).
Vanderbilt opens as a consensus 5.5-point favorite. If the Dores win, they’ll be 17-0 for the first time in program history.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner (17.3 points and 5.4 assists per game) and Duke Miles (17.2 points) have been the engine driving the Commodores’ hot start. Texas counters with the versatile Dailyn Swain, its leading scorer (15.8 PPG) and rebounder (7.13 RPG), who’ll need to carry a heavy load for the Longhorns to pull off what would be a season-defining upset.
Vanderbilt vs Texas Odds
Odds via consensus on January 14, subject to change
The undefeated Commodores enter as solid road favorites, with the market reflecting their dominant season-long performance. The 5.5-point spread indicates oddsmakers expect a competitive game but still favor Vanderbilt’s efficiency and experience in big spots. The high total of 165.5 points suggests both teams should flourish in what projects as an up-tempo SEC battle.
For those new to basketball betting, the moneyline odds translate to implied probabilities of roughly 71.0% for Vanderbilt and 32.1% for Texas. A successful $5 bet on favored Vanderbilt (-245) would profit $2.04, while the same wager on underdog Texas (+198) would return $9.90 in profit.
Statistical Breakdown: Commodores vs Longhorns
The numbers paint a clear picture of why Vanderbilt sits undefeated while Texas searches for consistency. The Commodores don’t just win games – they control them from start to finish with superior execution on both ends of the floor.
Vanderbilt’s offensive efficiency jumps off the page, averaging 93.0 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field and nearly 37% from deep. But its true strength lies in ball security and defensive pressure. The Dores’ 2.07 assist-to-turnover ratio showcases the veteran leadership of Tanner and Miles, while their 9.9 steals per game create the easy transition buckets that fuel their high-powered attack.
Texas’ path to victory runs through the glass, led by Swain’s 7.13 boards per contest.
One thing to watch: Texas doesn’t typically rely on the 3-pointer, but in the past 2 SEC games, the Longhorns hit 11 3s in a loss to Tennessee, then made 10 in the win over Alabama. That could suggest a tweak in how they want to play. They are 5-1 when they make 10 3s this season. They are 2-5 when they make 7 or fewer 3s.
Best Bet
Pick: Vanderbilt -5.5 (-109) via Bet365
The betting market has it right – Vanderbilt should handle business on the road and cover the spread against an inconsistent Texas team that has only shown flashes of brilliance.
Vanderbilt dismantles teams through precision and pressure. Its 2.07 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks among the nation’s elite, a testament to the heady play of Tanner (5.4 APG) and the disruptive defense of Miles, who leads the SEC in steals. These aren’t just good numbers – they’re elite metrics that translate to winning basketball.
Texas’ wild card is its 3-point shooting. But that’s a problem against a Vanderbilt defense that ranks among the best in the country at defending the 3. The Dores are holding opponents to 106-of-382 shooting from distance (27.7%). That’s not only the best in the SEC, its the best perimeter defense among power conference teams.
Expect Vanderbilt’s defensive intensity to wear down Texas as the game progresses, creating the separation needed to cover this road spread and get to 17-0 for the first time.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
