UAB vs. Vanderbilt prediction and odds for NIT quarterfinal

Vanderbilt advanced to the NIT quarterfinals in chaotic fashion on Saturday afternoon while UAB has rolled through the competition en route to a road game to determine who makes the semifinals in Las Vegas next week.

Vanderbilt closed on a 8-0 run in the final 57 seconds to beat Michigan on Saturday afternoon, setting up a quarterfinal meeting against UAB, who would love nothing more than to send out star guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker on a high note with a tourney victory.

Who will advance to the semis next week?

Let’s first peek at the odds:

UAB vs. Vanderbilt odds, spread and total

UAB vs. Vanderbilt prediction and pick

While Vandy is playing at home, I believe UAB should be favored in this NIT matchup due to its ability to dominate on the glass. The Blazers are top 10 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage while the Commodores check in outside the top 300 on the defensive glass. Not to mention, the Commodores continue to play without their star big man Liam Robbins, who got injured earlier this month.

Vanderbilt had to dig itself out of a seemingly insurmountable to beat Michigan in the final seconds, but Michigan played that game without several key ball handlers and still led for much of the second half. I believe there is a different mentality for the Conference USA opponent in UAB, who has a veteran guard in “Jelly,” that can outclass the Vandy backcourt of Ezra Manjon and Tyrin Lawrence.

On defense, the Blazers will bring more pressure to the ball than Yale (around national average in turnover rate) and Michigan (bottom 20) did in the prior two runs as UAB checks in 91st in generating TO’s.

Momentum is siding with UAB and Walker as they make one last push at postseason glory. I’ll take the road team to advance.

Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.