8. Vanderbilt (14-0)
A perfect start has Vanderbilt sitting pretty and perhaps in a position to win an SEC title, but we’re weeks and weeks away from that type of discussion. The Commodores aren’t one of these teams that have sat back and beaten up on nobodies, winning handily against Saint Mary’s and SMU and Wake Forest, with several of those notable games outside of Nashville. SEC play provides significantly tougher matchups and we’ll soon understand just how far this team can go.
We didn’t learn much on Monday as the Commodores quickly dispatched of New Haven in a 96-53 drubbing. Tyler Tanner had 23 points while Jalen Washington had 21 points off the bench. Vanderbilt then took care of business in their first conference game, winning 83-71 at South Carolina. While not the most difficult opener, the Commodores still soared thanks to 19 points and 14 assists from Tanner in another great showing.
This team is certainly in an enviable position as the only unbeaten team in the SEC, but let’s not pretend the road ahead will be easier for them. The Commodores’ offense has been stellar throughout the season and it’ll really be put to the test very quickly. After all, Alabama comes to town in just a few days and there’s a litany of tough road games quickly thereafter.