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The 2022 National Invitation Tournament begins tonight. The 32-team field features squads that just missed the NCAA Tournament and a number of smaller schools. The tournament’s semifinals and finals games will be played at Madison Square Garden beginning on March 29. All other contests will be played at the higher-seeded team’s home court.
Belmont vs. Vanderbilt (-3) Total: 144
The Belmont Bruins of the Ohio Valley Conference won 25 games this season, going 15-3 in conference play. In recent years, the top of the Ohio Valley Conference has come down to two teams: Belmont and Murray State. The Racers of Murray State will represent the OVC in the NCAA Tournament, while a very capable Belmont team will try to win the NIT.
Though the Vanderbilt Commodores were 17-16 on the season, they only went 7-11 in conference matchups. However, head coach Jerry Stackhouse’s team got better throughout the course of the season competing in a tough Southeastern Conference and closed the season winning three out of its last four games. The Commodores are led by junior guard Scotty Pippen Jr., son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen who paces the Commodores on the court with 20 points per game.
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Vanderbilt has been very good against the spread this season, currently 21-12 (63%) ATS and covering the number in 12 of its last 13 games. The Commodores have also fared well as favorites, going 10-5 ATS when favored.
Despite being 24-7 on the Money Line, Belmont has performed poorly against the spread this season. The Bruins are 15-15-1 ATS but have only one ATS win in their last seven games. Belmont has been very good on the road this season, going 10-4 straight up. That will help them tonight.
PointsBet opened up this game with the home team as 4.5-point favorites. Steady action on both sides has the number bouncing back and forth. Some shops have gone to Vanderbilt -3. This will be a one-possession game. I like the home team to pull it out.
Edge: Vanderbilt -163
