Bracketology 2023: Penn State, Marquette and Utah State among biggest winners
By Joey Loose
Vanderbilt
Can these Commodores actually earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament? Vanderbilt lost their first two games of the season at home to Memphis and Southern Miss and also had embarrassing performances against Grambling State (home loss in December) and Alabama (57-point blowout). However, we’re here in March and the Commodores remain alive in the Tournament picture, thanks greatly to another big win on Friday.
For the second time in 10 days, the Commodores got an upset win over Kentucky, beating the Wildcats 80-73 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. Defense keyed their first win, but it was Vanderbilt’s offense that got the job done this time, led by Ezra Manjon’s 25-point effort. Fellow guards Tyrin Lawrence and Jordan Wright both had 18 points as the Commodores won despite Oscar Tshiebwe and company severely outrebounding them.
When the day began, Vanderbilt’s NET was way down at 82, but a 5th Quad 1 win will certainly sway the Selection Committee and increase that NET figure overnight. It’s hard to overlook the poor performances that the Commodores have had, but this team has now won 10 of their last 11 games since that blowout against Alabama, including wins over Tournament teams Auburn and Tennessee. Their season was over with a loss today against Kentucky, but there’s still a chance for Vanderbilt to dance.