SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 17: The Auburn Tigers hold the winner's trophy after the 84-64 win against the Tennessee Volunteers during the final of the SEC Basketball Championships at Bridgestone Arena on March 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 16: The Vanderbilt Commodores band (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

14. Vanderbilt Commodores

2019-20 season: 11-21 (3-15 SEC)

Out the door: Aaron Nesmith

Key returners: Scotty Pippen Jr, Clevon Brown, Maxwell Evans, Dylan Disu

Wait and see: Saben Lee

Top Newcomers: DJ Harvey (Notre Dame), Quentin Millora-Brown (Rice)

It has been a rough go for Vanderbilt fans lately, who probably feel snake-bitten by unfortunate injuries to recent stars Darius Garland and Aaron Nesmith. On the surface, the 2019-20 campaign did not seem to spark much optimism for the ‘Dores who finished in the basement of the SEC for the second consecutive season.

However, a deeper look tells you that things were trending positively for Vandy under Jerry Stackhouse. The Commodores were written off early after losing sensational shooter Aaron Nesmith, but by the end of the season they were playing some pretty good basketball.

Vandy ended the regular season with back to back wins at Alabama and over South Carolina before falling to Arkansas in the shortened SEC Tournament. So, is their reason for optimism moving into year two of the “Stackhouse Era”?

The answer is a resounding yes. While Vandy may have finished last in the league, it is fair to say that they have closed the gap and are much more competitive. Whether or not they take another step forward relies in large part on the NBA draft decision of stock-rising guard Saben Lee.

Lee, an All-SEC 2nd Team performer, became one of the top-scoring guards in the conference, and his return would give Vanderbilt a back-court that can compete in a loaded SEC. Scotty Pippen Jr will return from a solid freshman campaign, and the Commodores received some good news when senior forward Clevon Brown was given an extra year of eligibility following an injury.

Vandy should also benefit from the presence of a pair of sit-out transfers who will play an immediate role. DJ Harvey brings some size and versatility to the wing. He was a starter at Notre Dame in 2018-19 and averaged double-figures for the Irish. Quentin Millora-Brown, a Rice transfer, brings some needed rim protection and rebounding to the front-court.

Vanderbilt still has a way to go before they are in the thick of things in the SEC, but they are certainly building depth and gaining ground on the rest of the pack.

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