Nebraska is set to face Vanderbilt in the Round of 32 on Saturday, and it feels like there might be a bit of a mismatch, despite their seeding. The Commodores are slight favorites, holding a -1.5 points edge as of now, but the Cornhuskers, who are seeded fourth, showcased impressive defense and achieved a convincing 76-47 victory over Troy in their earlier game.
Nebraska dominated that Round of 64 matchup, leading by 10 at halftime and maintaining control throughout. They restricted Troy to under 25 points in both halves, showing their defensive prowess.
On the other hand, Vanderbilt’s win wasn’t quite as straightforward. They managed to pull off a 78-68 win against McNeese, but the Cowboys actually led by 11 at halftime, and the game remained competitive deep into the second half.
Statistics indicate that Nebraska has excelled in defense all season, currently ranking in the top 10 nationally. This strong defensive performance bodes well as they head into this matchup.
Vanderbilt did shoot well against McNeese—53% overall and 38% from beyond the arc. However, they struggled with ball control, racking up 13 turnovers and allowing 16 offensive rebounds to the Cowboys.
It might not play out how some expect for the Cornhuskers, though. The Commodores entered the tournament with significant momentum, drawing attention due to their impressive turnaround over the past few years. But, sometimes, it’s the unsung heroes that start making a difference.
So, taking advantage of the current spread could be wise here. I would suggest looking at Nebraska with the +1.5 spread.
