Vanderbilt @ Belmont preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 15, 2016 ) Belmont 66, Vanderbilt 80

Vanderbilt looks to follow up an impressive opening night performance on Monday when it travels to Belmont, as Jeff Roberson is off to a strong -- and healthy -- start to his senior season. The Commodores forward, who battled nagging injuries last season and had off-season groin surgery, was one of three Vanderbilt players to score 13 points in Friday’s 73-54 victory over Austin Peay, and he added 10 rebounds – seven on the offensive end.

“I think a couple of times as you guys saw him go to the rim and rebound or jump, it was a different level than what he did last year,” Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew told reporters afterward in describing Roberson. The Commodores are one of three teams to make a 3-pointer in every game since the shot was incorporated in 1986-87, extending that streak to 1,000 on a Roberson 3-pointer 18 seconds into Friday’s game. Vanderbilt, which led the SEC in 3-point shooting a season ago, hit 9-of-25 attempts Friday. The Bruins put a scare into Washington in their opener Friday, leading by eight at halftime before cold shooting late resulted in an 86-82 defeat.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, OVC Digital Network

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-0): Riley LaChance and Clevon Brown also scored 13 points apiece in the opener, Brown establishing a new career high. The Commodores shot 50 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 13-point lead at intermission. Freshman guard Saben Lee impressed in his debut, recording seven assists and six points in 20 minutes off the bench.

ABOUT BELMONT (0-1): The Bruins have won four consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular season titles, but leading scorer Evan Bradds graduated. Four players scored in double figures against Washington, led by Nick Hopkins’ 22 points and six 3-pointers in his college debut. Belmont, which made the NIT last season, shot 4-for-14 from 3-point range in the second half against the Huskies.

TIP-INS

1. The Commodores face UNC Asheville on Friday before nonconference matchups with No. 11 USC on Sunday and Virginia on Nov. 23.

2. Vanderbilt held Austin Peay to 23.1 percent shooting from 3-point range Friday.

3. Belmont attempted 65 shots from the field in Friday’s opener, 31 coming from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 68, Belmont 62