Will Vanderbilt basketball make Sweet 16 in March Madness? Jay Bilas' prediction

ESPN analyst Jay BIlas believes Vanderbilt men's basketball will make it to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

But he doesn't believe the Commodores will repeat what the Commodores did to Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals.

Bilas predicted every March Madness game and has picked Vanderbilt (26-8), a No.

5 seed in the South Region, to win first- and second-round games before falling to Florida in the Sweet 16.

He has the No.

1 seed Gators (26-7) advancing to the Final Four before losing to No.

2 seed Michigan State.

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Vanderbilt defeated Florida 91-74 in the SEC Tournament semifinals before falling to Arkansas in the championship game.

In the first round the Commodores take on McNeese State (28-5) in Oklahoma City on March 19 at approximately 2:15 CT (TruTV).

Bilas has Vanderbilt defeating McNeese State (28-5) in what is typically a trendy 5 vs.

12 upset game, saying, "Vanderbilt's guards, Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles, are too good for a Cowboys upset.

"Take Vandy."

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In the round of 32 Bilas has Vanderbilt defeating No.

4 seed Nebraska, who he has winning over No.

13 Troy in the first round.

He calls game a "great matchup," adding, "Nebraska can beat almost anyone, but Vanderbilt's guards will be the difference.

It's a close call, but take Duke Miles' Commodores.

He made a steal in the SEC final on Sunday at midcourt against Arkansas with his left hand that I thought was one of the best thefts I've seen all season long.

He's legit."
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Bilas believes Florida will overtake Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16.

"In a rematch of the SEC tournament semifinals, this time Florida will have a little extra motivation," he said.

"The Gators turned it over too much in that game against Vanderbilt's pressure and steal-happy guards (Tanner, Miles).

Despite the Commodores' talent there, Florida is bigger and stronger.

Vandy will score, but Florida will be out for payback."
Bilas also has Tennessee reaching the Sweet 16, defeating SMU and Virginia before falling to Iowa State, who he has advancing to the national championship game.

Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal.

Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How far ESPN's Jay Bilas predicts Vanderbilt basketball in March Madness