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Vanderbilt Basketball: Vanderbilt Commodores 2015-16 Season Preview

By Bryce Bennett

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Vanderbilt Commodores

2014-2015 Record: 21-14 (9-9, SEC)
Postseason: NIT- Quarterfinals

It was a tale of many seasons for Vanderbilt last season. The Commodores started 10-3 in non-conference with a nice win over Purdue at home, but then struggled in conference play to a 1-7 start. The younger players began to gel and Vandy finished the season 10-4 and made it to the quarterfinals of the NIT.

Despite the inconsistencies, last season’s strong finish raises expectations and hopes for the team from Music City. Returning four starters and possessing a potential top-five NBA draft pick, Vandy is a trendy “sleeper” pick to compete in the upper echelon of the SEC.

But, this is still a young team, and could there be a “sophomore slump” type problem, especially with a non-conference schedule that has some tough games? Check out some of the key players and non-conference games that could be the difference in Vanderbilt’s season.

 Newcomers

C – D’Jery Baptiste
G – Camron Justice (#122 Rivals)
F – Samir Sehic
F – Joseph Toye (#133 Rivals)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 23-26 at Maui Invitational – The Vanderbilt Commodores are participants in one of the most well-known early season tournaments this season in Hawaii. First up is a match-up against Chris Mullin’s St. John’s Red Storm.

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Not much is known about St. John’s this season, but if Vandy is to meet expectations, this is a game they need to have.

After this, the bracket gets treacherous. Indiana will probably await next in a matchup of Top 25 opponents. Damian Jones will be key in that game as Indiana lacks size and struggled with post defense last season. The gift for winning against the Hoosiers.

That would be a potential tournament championship game against Kansas. Should the Dores’ drop out earlier teams such as UNLV, Wake Forest and UCLA are also in the bracket. For those who doubt and overlook Vandy this season, this tournament could be that coming out party opportunity.

Dec. 6 at Baylor – This one is just tough. Coaches always call the beginning of December one of the toughest stretches in a college basketball season. Nagging injuries, finals and the anticipation of a break all hang over teams.

The Commodores will need to push all of this aside as a trip to Waco, TX awaits against a talented Baylor team. The Bears project to be a top half Big 12 team this season, but if the Commodores play disciplined there will be opportunities.

I suspect Baylor will be favored in this one, but there’s an opportunity for a resume-building victory for the Commodores.

Dec. 22 at Purdue – The matchup to watch in this one is Damian Jones against the frontline of Purdue. As fellow writer Hashim R. Hathaway broke down, Purdue has a beefy frontline.

First to come at Jones is senior AJ Hammons, who could be Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. His back-up is 7’2″ sophomore Isaac Haas, who scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in last year’s match-up in Nashville. Then there’s five-star heralded freshman Caleb “Biggie” Swanigan.

He projects to play the four for Purdue this season, but is a strong rebounder and will be battling with Jones in the paint. As mentioned, Vanderbilt handled Purdue last season at home, but this one will be a fun Top-25 match-up just before conference season.

Key Players

Damian Jones – He’s the best player in the conference no one knows about. The junior forward averaged nearly 15 points and 7 rebounds last season and currently projects as a top-5 pick in next year’s NBA draft.

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    • Jones is your classic post-presence center, but has the ability to step-out and hit the outside shot. He will be the key player for Vanderbilt this season and may go down as the best player Kevin Stallings has coached for the Commodores. Here’s an awesome breakdown of Jones and his draft potential from DraftExpress.

    Riley LaChance – Vanderbilt’s sharp-shooter will be asked to bring more of the same that made him one of the more surprising and exciting players in the SEC last season. The 6’2″ freshman surprise, went from limited minutes early in the season to second-leading scorer on the team. LaChance is a deadly shooter who doesn’t need much to get a shot off. This season he will be asked to continue to shoot well, improve scoring averages and improve defensive abilities. However, it’s been an incredible start. He has the makings of a tough starter for the Dores for years to come.

    Season Outlook

    This should be an NCAA tournament team. The Commodores have the pieces to be a consistent top-25 threat all season, but just need to put together consistency. Defense will be a concern all season, but offensively, this is a scary basketball team. A solid start to a tough non-conference slate could be key for the Commodores. Fun things could be in store in Music City this basketball season.

    Next: Alabama Crimson Tide 2015-16 Season Preview

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