Vanderbilt Commodores
Southeastern Conference (19-12, 8-8)
Seed: #
RPI: 95
Big Wins: 1/31 at Auburn (82-75), 2/28 South Carolina (96-83), 3/4 at LSU (75-67)
Bad Losses: 12/3 Illinois Chicago (55-74), 12/6 at Georgia Tech (51-63), 2/25 at Georgia (57-61)
Coach: Kevin Stallings
Probable Starters:
Jermaine Beal, Junior, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 3.2 apg
Brad Tinsley, Freshman, Guard, 11.0 ppg, 2.8 apg
Jeffery Taylor, Freshman, Guard, 12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Steve Tchiengang, Freshman, Forward, 3.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg
A.J. Ogilvy, Sophomore, Center, 15.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
George Drake, Junior, Guard, 5.4 ppg, 1.2 apg
Festus Ezeli, Freshman, Center, 3.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Lance Goulbourne, Freshman, Guard, 5.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Darshawn McClellan, Sophomore, Forward, 2.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Why They Can Surprise:
Vanderbilt’s strength quickly turned to the frontcourt this season. The loss of a few solid perimeter players was a big part of that, but so is center A.J. Ogilvy. The 6-11 Australian is the team’s top scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. Ogilvy will use his size to score in the paint, but he is also a decent outside shooter and can consistently knock down the mid-range jumper. The emergence of freshman wing Jeffery Taylor has given the Commodores another quality rebounder. However, Taylor is also a good scorer and will do a great job getting to the basket.
The starting job next to Ogilvy has been a revolving door, but at least Steve Tchiengang, Festus Ezeli and Darshawn McClellan have some experience. Although most of that experience is from this season as all those players are freshmen except McClellan…and he is just a sophomore. While none of them are scoring threat, they will do the dirty work around the basket and Tchiengang can stretch out the defense with his outside shooting ability.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The biggest problem for Coach Kevin Stallings is this groups youth and inexperience. Of the usual rotation of nine players, five are freshmen, two are sophomores and two are juniors. To help counteract the problem, Vanderbilt usually has Jermaine Beal and Brad Tinsley on the floor at the same time. Both can handle the ball and have done a good job keeping the turnovers down. Most of the team’s turnover issues come from the rest of the team.
Who To Watch:
Beal and Tinsley add more than just ball handling though. Both are quality outside shooters who Vanderbilt will depend on to score some points. Tinsley spends most of his time behind the arc, but Beal will get to the basket and finish in addition to his long range shooting duties. If Beal is not getting to the basket effectively, the Commodores offense can become stagnant. The only option on the perimeter to provide a spark off the bench is George Drake. Drake’s outside shooting has been just awful this season, and that is putting it nicely, but he can use his 6-4 frame to finish around the basket. The junior has had some decent scoring games during Southeastern Conference play and he will need that success to continue into the tournament if Vanderbilt wants to give the backcourt starters any rest at all.
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.3 (133rd in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.0 (101, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.3 (100, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.6 (25, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (187, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.9 (169, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (86, 4)
Rebound Margin: 5.2 (35, 3)
Assists Per Game: 12.4 (216, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.1 (254, 10)
Joel’s Bracket Says:
