A loaded Tuesday slate of men’s college basketball includes an intriguing clash between in-state rivals. Memphis (2-0) generated some early buzz with a season-opening upset over Iowa State. Now, the Tigers face another ranked opponent in #22 Vanderbilt (2-0). The Commodores have all the pieces necessary for a deep March Madness run, headlined by standout guard Tyler Tanner. Which of these non-conference foes will come out on top tonight at Memorial Gymnasium?
Vanderbilt enters this one as 13.5-point favorites (-115) over Memphis. The total is set at 160.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for Tuesday’s game between the Tigers and Commodores.
Memphis vs. Vanderbilt prediction, preview
As previously mentioned, the Tigers earned a surprising upset of then-ranked Iowa State to start their season. Memphis eked out an 80-76 victory over the Cyclones thanks in part to stellar shooting. As a follow-up, the school reeled off a narrow one-point win against VCU on Saturday, 89-88. During both games, the Tigers knocked down 19 of their 42 combined three-point attempts (45.2%).
That level of proficiency from beyond the arc is a welcome sight, but it may not be sustainable. Penny Hardaway’s crew ranked 304th last season in three-point efficiency (31.6%). With that being said, there was a conscious effort to improve this offense over the summer. That includes bringing aboard Northwestern transfer Jayden Reid. The guard has been phenomenal with the Tigers, earning the AP men’s basketball Player of the Week. During Memphis’ first two games, Reid tallied a combined 58 points.
Another positive for Memphis is that this is a veteran roster. According to KenPom, the program ranks 28th in the nation with 2.32 years of Division I experience on average. Previous Tigers squads have prioritized size and physicality; this year’s version seems to be more offensively-minded.
On the flip side, expectations are high in Nashville. You may remember how Vanderbilt’s season ended last year, a heartbreaker in the NCAA Tournament against Nebraska. That should only add fuel to the fire for this group heading into the 2026-27 season. Tyler Tanner is back, and he has all the makings of a dark horse Wooden Award winner. Last season, the guard averaged 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Through two outings this year, the junior has shown no signs of slowing down.
Granted, Tanner isn’t the only name worth mentioning on this roster. Returning forward Chandler Bing is a name to watch going forward for the Commodores. In the transfer portal, head coach Mark Byington landed a big fish in Ace Glass. As a freshman with Washington State, he averaged 16.4 points per game on 46/36/88 shooting splits. Down low, the duo of Berke Büyüktuncel and Bangot Dak provide a massive influx of size. Having a 6’10” and 7’0″ player starting at the same time should give Vandy a massive edge on the boards.
Memphis vs. Vanderbilt pick, best bet
These were two of the nation’s better defensive units last season. While the rosters have been reshuffled, getting stops remains a priority for both Byington and Hardaway. Vanderbilt’s size is a major factor tonight, potentially stifling the Tigers on any drives inside the paint. However, Memphis has done a good job at forcing opponents to chew up clock. During what should be an intense rivalry matchup, don’t expect a shootout.
