24. Vanderbilt (4-0)
It’s hard to complain about the early work out of Vanderbilt this season and many of the metrics and analytics agree. You didn’t see the Commodores enter last season with great expectations, but Mark Byington did brilliant work and now has even more talent in year two in Nashville. What happens in the weeks and months ahead is still a mystery, but it’s a good start, especially after last week’s win at UCF.
The good times kept rolling on Wednesday with a 92-62 win over Eastern Kentucky. The Commodores soared at home again, led by 17 points and 7 rebounds from Tyler Harris off the bench. Yet another great showing came over the weekend, with Vanderbilt triumphant over Arkansas-Pine Bluff by the score of 104-75. All five starters were in double figures, led by Duke Miles with 20 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals in a remarkable effort as the Commodores won yet again.
With this level of opposition, you won’t find Vanderbilt near the tops in the nation in strength of schedule after the opening weeks of the season, but they’re still putting up 100 points per game with regularity. They’ve got an undeniable road win against a Big 12 foe and have the building blocks for success this season in the SEC. Their next big challenge doesn’t come next week, as Texas Southern is the only game we’ll see them play.