Vanderbilt basketball vs. UAB in NIT quarterfinals: Score prediction, scouting report

Vanderbilt basketball still remembers how last year ended.

The Commodores (22-14) took Xavier to the wire in the quarterfinals of the NIT but ultimately fell to end their season.

This season, Vanderbilt is back in the NIT quarterfinals and hoping for a different outcome Wednesday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN2) at Memorial Gymnasium. The Commodores will face UAB (27-9), with the winner advancing to the NIT semifinals in Las Vegas.

Vanderbilt defeated Yale and Michigan to advance to the quarterfinals, while the Blazers defeated Southern Miss and Morehead State. The Commodores played both those teams earlier in the season, beating Morehead State but losing to Southern Miss.

Here's our score prediction for the matchup:

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Playing fast

UAB is one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, ranking 31st in average number of possessions per game, according to KenPom. That leads to naturally higher-scoring matchups.

The Blazers, coached by former Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy, have a deep squad, frequently getting into their bench, and their team is also laden with experience. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has shortened its rotations late in the season. The fast pace of UAB could thus challenge the Commodores, who will have to ensure they don't get tired.

Crashing the glass

UAB is one of the top offensive rebounding teams in the country. On the offensive glass, the Blazers are led by 6-foot-11 Clemson transfer Trey Jemison and 6-8 Ole Miss transfer KJ Buffen. Both players also excel at getting to the free-throw line.

Without Liam Robbins, out for the season with injury, Vanderbilt has struggled to rebound both offensively and defensively. When the Commodores can make shots, though, that doesn't matter as much. Vanderbilt has still managed to win games, even when it can't get rebounds, but it puts more pressure on the 3-point shooting.

SEC success

UAB has gone 2-0 in matchups against SEC teams this season, beating Georgia at a neutral site and South Carolina at home. But both those teams, of course, finished significantly worse than the Commodores.

The best win for the Blazers was a home win over FAU, which earned a No. 9 seed in March Madness and advanced to the Sweet 16. But UAB lost its other two matchups with FAU. It also lost the other high-major game it played, a road matchup with West Virginia.

Vanderbilt vs. UAB in NIT: Our score prediction

Vanderbilt 85, UAB 80: This is a good bet to be a high-scoring game, but Vanderbilt has the advantage due to playing at home.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball scouting report vs. UAB in NIT quarterfinals