19. Vanderbilt (24-7)
Life in the SEC is never easy and Vanderbilt is a great example of that. The Commodores were riding high on top of the world during their 16-0 start, but then three straight SEC losses had them asking a lot of questions. Vanderbilt hit another one of those rough stretches in recent weeks and now their season ends with three straight road contests. The first didn’t go well at Kentucky last weekend, but the next two were far more prosperous.
It wasn’t easy, but the Commodores hung on for an 89-86 overtime win at Ole Miss on Tuesday. Tyler Tanner really showed out once again with 34 points and 7 assists, helming Vanderbilt to a much needed victory. Saturday’s win felt even sweeter, as they avenged a recent loss to rival Tennessee, winning 86-82 in Knoxville. Tanner starred once more with 25 points while AK Okereke added 17 points in a stellar game himself.
At the end of last week this team had lost three of four and we were wondering just what the ceiling was for Vanderbilt. Things haven’t magically been fixed in Nashville but two significant road wins builds momentum for this team heading into the SEC Tournament. The Commodores have shown that they can hang with the best of this league and it’ll be interesting to see what Mark Byington’s crew does in the coming days and weeks.