SEC Basketball: In-depth conference preview

By Stuart Gill | Nov 3, 2016

Mar 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari shouts during the second half of the championship game against Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew during SEC Tipoff at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Vanderbilt Commodores

2015-16 record: 19-14 overall, 11-7 in SEC

Head coach: Bryce Drew (first year)

Notable departures: Wade Baldwin IV, Damian Jones

Notable returnees: Matthew Fisher-Davis, Jeff Roberson, Luke Kornet, Riley LaChance, Nolan Cressler, Joe Toye, Camron Justice

Notable newcomers: Three-star SG Payton Willis, non-ranked PF Clevon Brown, four-star redshirt freshman Djery Baptiste

The Commodores have lost a lot of production with the departures of Damian Jones and Wade Baldwin IV to the NBA.

On top of that, they have to adjust to a new head coach. Bryce Drew, three-time Horizon League Coach of the Year at Valparaiso, is now in the fold and will implement his system in year one.

The Commodores will be led by Matthew Fisher-Davis, Riley LaChance, Luke Kornet and Jeff Roberson. We expect Vanderbilt to finish at about .500 in conference play — anywhere from 6th to 10th in the SEC — but for now we will slot them in at 7th.

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