SEC Tournament Final: No. 22 Vanderbilt vs. No. 17 Arkansas Odds & Predictions (Mar. 15)

It's official: The SEC Tournament final is here, and so is Selection Sunday. Let's take a look at the best bets and predictions for the final matchup between No. 22 Vanderbilt Commodores (26-7, 11-7 SEC) and No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (25-8, 13-5 SEC).

(Photo by Vanderbilt Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

Let's face it, it was the Florida Gators' SEC Tournament to lose. The overwhelming favorites to win it (-180) on FanDuel, the Gators were shut down by the one and only Vanderbilt.

Florida may have been the favorite, but up next was Arkansas (+600 FanDuel) pre-tournament. Having held the fourth-best odds to win it (+1200 FanDuel), Vanderbilt was always a sleeper pick.

Today, Vanderbilt will look to win its first SEC Tournament since 2012 under head coach Mark Byington. Arkansas, on the other hand, hasn't won the tournament since 2000. While Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee have dominated the SEC for quite some time, this year will feature two teams that have surprised folks this year.

Today's contest marks the 48th meeting between the two teams since Arkansas joined the SEC in the early 1990s. Leading the series all-time against the Commodores 32-15, the Razorbacks once again have the home-court advantage. Having suffered just one home loss on the season, they're also riding a four-game win streak.

Let's take a look at the SEC Tournament betting odds, best bets, and predictions for Mar. 15 between Vanderbilt and Arkansas. My picks include a mix of spread, total, and player props for Sunday's matchup.

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SEC Tournament Final: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas Betting Odds (FanDuel)

MONEYLINE

• VANDERBILT COMMODORES: -132
• ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS: +110

SPREAD

• VANDERBILT COMMODORES: -2.5 (-104)
• ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS: +2.5 (-118)

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER: 164.5 (-110)
• UNDER: 164.5 (-110)

INJURY REPORT

ARKANSAS

1. Karter Knox, F: Questionable

VANDERBILT

1. George Kimble III, G: OUT (Knee)

SEC Tournament Best Bets & Predictions for Sunday, Mar. 15: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas

• Vanderbilt -2.5 (-104)
• OVER 164.5 (-110)
• Darius Acuff Jr. OVER 23.5 Points (-120)

*All bets were made within FanDuel Sportsbook*

SEC Tournament Final Best Bet: Vanderbilt -2.5

Vanderbilt has quietly ramped up its production, and although it posted an 11-7 record in the SEC this year, we have to look at its accomplishments.

Their biggest statement win was a 91-74 upset win over the No. 1 Florida Gators in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. We are talking about the reigning NCAA Champions and a Florida team that's 16-2 in the SEC this year.

Vanderbilt has been an offensive powerhouse this season, ranking seventh in offensive rating (127.3) in KenPom ratings. Not to mention, this team has the 11th-best net rating in the country (+28.13). That ranks them ahead of the UConn Huskies and Virginia Cavaliers.

That said, they put up 91 points against Florida, all while shooting 55.5% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. Plus, they made 21-of-23 free throws. As we've seen all season long, Tyler Tanner (20 points, eight assists, three steals) and Duke Miles (15 points, seven assists, three rebounds) have been a 1-2 punch for Vandy.

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Why Vanderbilt Can Cover the Spread Against Arkansas

And while Vanderbilt isn't necessarily a top-ten team on defense, they held Florida to 5-of-17 (29%) from the 3-point line. While it was Tanner and Miles who combined for 35 points, the depth of this team stepped up. Especially Jalen Washington, who had a monstrous game with 17 points. Although he's inconsistent at times, Washington can be the x-factor today.

How I see it, Vanderbilt had the most challenging road in this tournament and upset BOTH Florida and Tennessee. May I add that they beat the Vols in back-to-back games? Although Tennessee absolutely destroyed them on the glass, Vanderbilt held them to 38% shooting from the floor, and 4-of-17 (24%) from beyond the arc.

Considering Tennessee is one of the better defensive-ranked teams (No. 15 KenPom), Vanderbilt did struggle, shooting just 40% from the floor and 26% from three. What they made up for was the charity stripe (22-of-26).

I'm well aware the Razorbacks destroyed the Commodores 93-68 back in January, and they've won the last three straight head-to-head meetings. And yes, I know Vanderbilt has a tough road matchup. Boasting an 18-14 ATS record, this is a team that's 8-4 against the spread on the road.

I like everything about Vanderbilt here, on paper at least. They shoot 47.8% from the floor, and are a heavy 3-point shooting team. We are talking about a squad that takes 26.8 threes per game and shoots 35.4% from beyond the arc.

Final SEC Tournament Final betting prediction: Vanderbilt -2.5 (-104 FanDuel)

The 3-ball could be the difference here, and if this game is like the last matchup, the blend of scoring among guards can put Vanderbilt over the top. While they've been hot, the biggest key to stopping Arkansas is their interior scoring. The 3-ball must outscore their paint presence, and although Arkansas has size and length, Vanderbilt can't let them attempt 31 3-pointers again.

• I'm laying the points with Vanderbilt today. While 2.5 points is a slim margin, we have to look at what they've done recently. Arkansas barely got the victory over Ole Miss and lost to Florida in February by 34 points. 

SEC Tournament Final Best Bet: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas OVER 164.5 Points, Darius Acuff Jr.

I'm expecting a high-scoring affair here today, as the Razorbacks are the third-highest scoring offense in D1 basketball (90.7 PPG). Ranked No. 13 is Vanderbilt, which is putting up 87.6 points per game.

The last time these two teams met in January, the over/under point total was set for 173.5. Of course, coming in under that, let's not forget Arkansas slammed 93 points on Vanderbilt. Coming in at 161 points, that was with Vanderbilt shooting under 40% from the floor and beyond the arc.

As mentioned previously, Arkansas shot 31 3-pointers and does shoot 38.1% as a team. Mind you, Vanderbilt has quick guards in both Tanner and Miles. The production within this team runs deep, from Tanner to Washington. But who we haven't talked about is Razorback guard Darius Acuff Jr. 

I bet on Acuff Jr. to score over 23.5 points today, and he has been Arkansas's leading scorer all season. Considering one of the high-scoring players in the nation, he's averaged 22.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. A dynamic player, he's 11th in the country in 3-point shooting (43.7%).

Of course, Arkansas has heavy hitters with Meleek Thomas, who's putting up 15.6 points per game, along with Treveon Brazile (13.1 PPG) and Billy Richmond (10.8 PPG).

To be honest, I'm most excited about Ak Okereke, who's been on a tear of late. Recording 11 points on 3-of-5 3-point shots against Florida, he delivered monstrous games against Tennessee (17 points), Ole Miss (16 points), and Texas A&M (23 points). While Tanner and Miles lead the way, watch out for Devin McGlockton, who delivered 12 points and three 3-pointers against Florida.

Final SEC Tournament Final betting prediction: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas OVER 164.5 Points + Darius Acuff Jr. OVER 23.5 Points

We know Acuff Jr., who's just a freshman, is going to get his points today. And while Vanderbilt has the guards to stop him, he erupted for 17 points in their last meeting. Coming off 24 and 27 points against Ole Miss and Oklahoma, he's averaging 30.5 points and 21 shot attempts in the tournament. Plus, he's been one of the fiercest 3-point shooters (42.1%) over the last two games.

• I'm expecting a closer matchup today, and a high-scoring one. Arkansas is a team that gets to the free-throw line, but can also be deadly from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt excels in turnovers and getting steals. Not only has Arkansas put up 90 points in its last three matchups against Vanderbilt, but both offenses are also clicking. In the SEC tournament alone, Vanderbilt is averaging 83 points and Arkansas, 87.5 points. That's good enough to bet the over today.