The Vanderbilt Commodores remained one of the nation’s final unbeaten teams on Wednesday night, grinding out a 77-70 overtime win on the road against Memphis to improve to 11-0 on the season.
Vanderbilt Stays Perfect at 11-0, but History and the SEC Loom Large for the Commodores
It was far from pretty. The first half featured just 50 total points before Memphis stormed back to tie the game at 62 by the end of regulation. Vanderbilt responded in overtime, outscoring the Tigers 15-7 to close the door and keep its unbeaten run intact. Memphis dropped to 4-6 with the loss.
Despite the struggles, Vanderbilt found a way to survive. The Commodores shot just 6-for-31 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers, numbers that typically spell disaster on the road. Instead, they leaned on poise and execution late to escape with a win.
Duke Miles Sets the Tone
Duke Miles led Vanderbilt with 22 points and served as the steady hand when things got tight. Tayler Tanner added 16 points, while Jalen Washington chipped in 14 points in 26 minutes off the bench, providing a crucial spark.
Even on a night when the offense sputtered from the perimeter, Vanderbilt showed depth and balance, traits that have defined its early-season success.
A Program Still Chasing March History
While the 11-0 start is impressive, Vanderbilt’s postseason history remains a looming backdrop. The Commodores have never reached the Final Four and have not made an Elite Eight appearance since 1965.
They have not won two games in the same NCAA Tournament since 2007 and have just six Sweet 16 appearances overall. Vanderbilt’s last NCAA Tournament win came in 2012 against Harvard, and since then, the program has lost four straight tournament games. Overall, the Commodores have dropped eight of their last nine NCAA Tournament contests.
If Vanderbilt reaches the NCAA Tournament in March 2026, it would mark the first time the program has made back-to-back tournament appearances since 2016 and 2017. Their best stretch came from 2010 to 2012, when they reached three straight tournaments.
SEC Play Will Reveal Everything
The challenge only intensifies once conference play begins. Vanderbilt has not won an SEC regular-season title since 1993, the fifth such title in program history. The Commodores’ last SEC Tournament championship came in 2012.
Nightly battles against the league’s elite will quickly determine whether this team can sustain its early momentum or if flaws exposed against Memphis become costly.
Mark Byington’s Influence Is Clear
The strong start reflects the steady impact of head coach Mark Byington. The 49-year-old is in his second season at Vanderbilt after successful stints at Georgia Southern and James Madison.
Byington guided Vanderbilt to a 20-13 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance last season, following a 32-win campaign in his final year at James Madison. His ability to elevate programs has translated quickly in Nashville.
Numbers That Stand Out
Through 11 games, Duke Miles leads Vanderbilt at 17.1 points per game. The Commodores rank in the top 10 nationally in scoring, averaging 93.7 points per contest.
Frankie Collins has been a steady facilitator, averaging 7.8 points and 4.7 assists per game, while big man Devin McGlockton has been a force inside, scoring 10.2 points per game and shooting better than 63 percent from the field.
What’s Next for Vanderbilt
The Commodores face another test Sunday on the road against Wake Forest before closing out the calendar year at home against New Haven on December 29.
SEC play begins January 3 with a road trip to South Carolina. Vanderbilt’s first home conference game comes four days later against Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide, a matchup that should provide an early measuring stick for just how real this unbeaten start truly is.