Vanderbilt vs. Standford Prediction: Who Will Come Out Victorious in the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas?

Vanderbilt vs. Standford Prediction: Who Will Come Out Victorious in the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas?

The Stanford Cardinal and Vanderbilt Commodores will play an 8:30 pm ET contest for the Diamond Head Classic Championship. There’s a lot of sports on today. But if you’re into college basketball, like me, you can thank Hawaii for putting together this tournament to give us quality college basketball on Christmas. Stanford and Vanderbilt are rated in the top 100 and could use another resume builder before conference play. Here are our picks and predictions for the Diamond Head Classic Championship between the Stanford Cardinal and Vanderbilt Commodores. 

Vanderbilt vs. Standford Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: Saturday, December 25, 2021

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET

Where To Watch: ESPN2

Click Here For Vanderbilt vs. Standford Odds

Vanderbilt vs. Standford INJURY REPORT

Stanford: No Injuries to Report

Vanderbilt: Out: C Liam Robbins (Foot) 

Vanderbilt vs. Standford Prediction

Both of these teams are currently feeling good right now. With two straight wins in Hawaii for both of these teams, there’s a lot to be happy with coming into this game. But it would be the ultimate week for the team that finishes the job and wins the championship. It’s a resume builder, at the very least.

Stanford has struggled to hold onto the ball this season. The Cardinal are turning the ball over 22.4 percent of the time. That’s not good news for Stanford knowing Vanderbilt can earn 24.6 percent takeaways per game this season. Stanford will dominate on the glass, earning 36.1 percent of offensive rebounds and getting to the line at a high rate. However, with Stanford getting to the line, things don’t always work out, as the Cardinals are shooting 64.8 percent from the line. Still, Stanford shoots 34.8 percent from deep and 51 percent from inside the arc. These are above-average numbers. They’re not elite numbers, but offensively, those numbers get the job done.

On the other hand, Vanderbilt will limit turnovers on offense but has struggled to shoot at a higher percentage. However, with the way Stanford has defended this season, there’s a good chance the Commodores have had success shooting the ball. Vanderbilt is shooting a 47.2 percent effective field goal percentage while hitting only 29.5 percent of three-point shots. The Commodores are shooting a large number of long-range jumpers, despite an awful percentage. This team can hit these shots and has the confidence to continue to shoot them.

Stanford hasn’t defended the perimeter all that well this year and hasn’t been great defending at all this season, even inside. Stanford is allowing teams to shoot a 51.8 percent effective field goal percentage while teams also shoot 33.6 percent from long range and 52.8 percent from inside the arc.

Therefore, I like Vanderbilt to get more looks and force more turnovers. With that, they’ll eventually win the game and cover the small spread. 

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Stanford Cardinal Pick

• Vanderbilt -2 (-110)