Vanderbilt Commodores vs New Orleans Privateers Picks and Predictions December 30th 2024

Vanderbilt Faces Lowly New Orleans in Final Tuneup for SEC

Vanderbilt looks to extend its winning streak to six games and end its nonconference slate on a high note when it hosts struggling New Orleans on Monday night in Nashville, Tenn.

Vanderbilt’s Momentum Ahead of SEC Play

The Commodores (11-1) have rebounded impressively since their loss to Drake in the Charleston Classic championship on Nov. 24. Riding a five-game winning streak, Vanderbilt has outscored opponents by a combined 138 points during this stretch, including a dominant 105-53 victory over The Citadel on Dec. 18.

Under first-year head coach Mark Byington, Vanderbilt has soared to 37th in the NCAA NET rankings, showcasing a balanced and effective roster overhaul. Byington utilized the transfer portal to bring in game-changers such as Jason Edwards, who ranks third in the SEC in scoring with 18.9 points per game.

Complementing Edwards are key contributors Devin McGlockton (11.8 ppg), AJ Hoggard (10.3 ppg), and Tyler Nickel (10.0 ppg), all of whom provide scoring depth. The Commodores’ improved 3-point shooting—48.8 percent in their last two games—has added another dimension to their offense.

“After practice, a lot of guys continue to get 50 makes or more,” said guard MJ Collins. “The reps are just going to show we can all shoot the ball pretty good.”

New Orleans’ Struggles

New Orleans (2-10) enters the matchup on a six-game losing streak and ranks near the bottom of the NCAA NET standings at 334. First-year coach Stacy Hollowell has had a challenging start, as the Privateers have faced a daunting schedule that includes losses to SEC foes Texas (98-62) and LSU (86-70).

The team most recently fell 86-61 to McNeese State, dropping to 0-2 in Southland Conference play. James White has been the lone bright spot, leading the Southland in both scoring (19.2 points per game) and rebounding (7.9 boards per game). Freshman MJ Thomas has also shown promise, averaging 11.4 points over the past five games.

White, who previously played for Ole Miss, has experience against Vanderbilt but has only logged 12 minutes across two appearances in 2022 and 2023. His all-conference potential makes him the focal point for the Privateers’ upset hopes.

Key Matchups and Game Outlook

• Vanderbilt’s Depth vs. New Orleans’ Star Power: The Commodores boast four double-digit scorers and a deep bench, while the Privateers lean heavily on White for offensive production.
• Rebounding Edge: Vanderbilt has dominated the glass in recent games, a factor that could be decisive against a New Orleans squad that has struggled in the paint.
• Home vs. Road Disparity: This will be New Orleans’ ninth consecutive road game. The Privateers are 0-8 away from home this season and will likely find it difficult to disrupt Vanderbilt’s rhythm at Memorial Gymnasium.

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Game Prediction

With Vanderbilt clicking on all cylinders and New Orleans struggling through a grueling schedule, the Commodores are heavy favorites to close their nonconference campaign with a win. Expect Vanderbilt to continue its hot shooting from beyond the arc and dominate in the paint against an outmatched Privateers squad.