Preview: Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas in SEC Championship

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A Southeastern Conference Tournament championship and likely high NCAA Tournament seed will be on the line Sunday when Vanderbilt meets Arkansas in a clash of heavyweights at Bridgestone Arena.

The Commodores (26-7) and Razorbacks (25-8), separated by just one game in the standings, have navigated a gauntlet to reach the final. Vanderbilt advanced with a 91-74 rout of Florida on Saturday, while Arkansas needed overtime to outlast Mississippi, 93-90.

The matchup features a compelling contrast in backcourt stars. Vanderbilt is powered by the hot hand of guard Tyler Tanner, who is averaging 22.1 points and 5.8 assists over his last eight games. He scored 20 points with eight assists in the semifinal win.

Arkansas counters with dynamic guard Meleek Thomas, who poured in 29 points in 45 minutes against Mississippi. He has scored 28 or more points in two of his last four outings.

The Razorbacks won the regular-season meeting decisively, 93-68, in Fayetteville on Jan. 20. Vanderbilt, however, enters with momentum, having won five of its last six, including victories over Tennessee twice and Mississippi in overtime.

Arkansas has won seven of its last eight, with its only loss in that span a 111-77 defeat at Florida. Both teams have shown a propensity for close games, with each playing in multiple overtimes recently.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Vanderbilt holds a slight projected win probability of 53.2%. The Commodores have been installed as a 1-point favorite, with an over/under set at 169 points.

The game tips off at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday and will be broadcast on ESPN. The winner will claim the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, though both teams are considered locks for at-large selections.