SEC Basketball: Alabama, Auburn leads way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

15. Vanderbilt Commodores

After five seasons with zero NCAA Tournament appearances, Vanderbilt opted to part ways with Jerry Stackhouse. Although Jerry Stackhouse had a few decent years, including back-to-back NIT seasons, he was never able to get the Commodores over the hump and into the Big Dance. 

Incoming to Nashville is former Georgia Southern/James Madison head coach Mark Byington, who recently led James Madison to a 32-4 (15-3) record with wins over Michigan State on opening night and Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament in the classic 5/12 upset.

Faced with constructing an entirely new roster, Mark Byington & Co. landed 10 total transfers, according to 24/7 Sports, establishing a much-needed veteran presence in year one. Five of the ten transfers are listed as graduate transfers, according to a scholarship tracker created by Andrew Parrish. 

There's plenty to like with the portal additions, including AJ Hoggard (Michigan State), Jason Edwards (North Texas) and Chris Manon (Cornell). However, it's a tall task to expect the portal pieces to be a seamless fit, especially with a new coaching staff at the helm. The Commodores aren’t short of talent, but the pieces will need to fall into place to escape the SEC cellar in 2024-25.