After an impressive first round win Tuesday night, Vanderbilt advances to the second round of the 2023 NIT on Saturday where the Commodores will face Michigan.
Led by SEC Co-Coach of the Year Jerry Stackhouse, Vanderbilt now sits at 21-14 overall for the season, a record that included an 11-7 mark in conference play. The Commodores are coming off a 71-62 first round home win over Yale on Tuesday night, and have won five of their last six games dating back to March 1.
The Commodores are currently averaging 72.5 PPG, while also allowing 71.8 PPG to opponents, and are led by three players averaging in double figures with Tyrin Lawrence, Jordan Wright, and Ezra Manjon. Trey Thomas and Colin Smith are also prominent players for Vanderbilt, as is Quentin Millora-Brown in the frontcourt.
As for Michigan, the Wolverines, led by head coach Juwan Howard, are currently sitting at 18-15 overall, a record that included an 11-9 mark in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are coming off a 90-80 first round home win over Toledo on Tuesday night, a result that snapped what was a three-game losing streak for Michigan.
Led by forward Hunter Dickinson at 18.4 PPG and 9 RPG, Michigan is currently averaging 73.6 PPG offensively as a team, while also allowing 69.7 PPG to opponents. The Wolverines have two other double-digit scorers in Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard at 14 PPG each, while others such as Dug McDaniel, Terrance Williams, Joey Baker, and Tarris Reed are all key names for Michigan.
Vanderbilt vs Michigan 2023 NIT Prediction
While this game is being played in Nashville, the pick however goes to Michigan. Without the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Liam Robbins available, the Commodores could struggle at times to contain Hunter Dickinson defensively, and I’ll say that Michigan gets a big game from the three-time All-Big Ten selection, and the Wolverines pull away late. Prediction: Vanderbilt 74, Michigan 79
What Channel is the Vanderbilt vs Michigan Game On?
A second round 2023 NIT matchup, Vanderbilt will face Michigan from Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, TN on Saturday, March 18. Tip-off is set for 12:00 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Vanderbilt vs Michigan Live Stream
A live stream of the NIT matchup between Vanderbilt and Michigan can be found here on fuboTV.