NCAA Basketball: 2019 Big 12/SEC Challenge preview

Vanderbilt Commodores at Oklahoma Sooners

The Vanderbilt Commodores could have upset on their mind once again behind two five-star prospects making their way onto campus this summer. They defeated the TCU Horned Frogs at home in last year’s challenge. Point guard Darius Garland and power forward Simisola Shittu are two big-name freshmen prospects making their debut in this year’s Big 12/SEC Challenge. They are sure to play a big role on a team that went 12-20 in Year 2 under head coach Bryce Drew.

The Oklahoma Sooners have to replace prolific scoring guard Trae Young as well as deal with the losses of point guard Jordan Shepherd and shooting guard Kameron McGusty who both chose to transfer. Head coach Lon Kruger has done his due diligence in adding grad transfer Miles Reynolds to the fold in hopes of alleviating things.

Reynolds averaged 13.3 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game at Pacific University in 2017-18. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Sooners made the NCAA Tournament lost season despite losing seven of their final nine contests during the regular season. There could be more growing pains coming for them in 2018-19. The Commodores, on the other hand, look to be trending upwards.