SEC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf | Jun 26, 2018

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to PJ Washington #25 in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 30: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts after a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Rupp Arena on January 30, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

7. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vandy finished 13th in the SEC last year, only won 12 games, and lost their three top scorers. So why do I think the Commodores will fare so well?

Head coach Bryce Drew is welcoming in the No. 13 recruiting class in the country headlined by five-star prospects Simi Shittu and Darius Garland. Both players will step right into the starting lineup and be impact players right away. In fact, ESPN currently projects that Garland will be the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Four-star shooting guard Aaron Nesmith should see a lot of playing time as well, but it’s not all about the newcomers for Vandy. Saben Lee (10.6 ppg, 3.1 apg) showed flashes during his freshman season and is one of a number of young players who will be stepping into bigger roles.

Still, Garland and Shittu will be the driving forces behind this team and will determine if they can compete with the big boys or if they will toil on the bubble all season long. I anticipate that a lack of reliable depth – along with some growing pains that come with playing younger players in important roles – will relegate them to the latter, but it will be a major step in the right direction for the program.

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