Deep Dive Thread for Vanderbilt

Gameday Poster Courtesy of AlabamaMBB

Deep Dive Thread for Vanderbilt: The Commodores are coached in their second season by Mark Byington, who looks to have further success after making the tournament in his first season in Nashville. They currently sit at 14-0 this season with wins over UCF, SMU, VCU, and St Mary’s, but Alabama will be their toughest test so far this season.

Vandy is led in scoring by 6-2 Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles. Miles is averaging just over 17 points, 5 assists, and almost 3 steals per game to lead the team. He has the 8th highest steal rate in the country and has been a big key to their success on the defensive end. He is shooting just under 36% from deep, which is down from his 43% from last season, but still a very capable shooter. He missed the last 2 games with illness and injury, so that will be a key to watch for in this game.

Duke can shoot but also has elite defensive instincts and bursts. https://x.com/VandyMBB/status/2002821178050703366?s=20

The other starter in the backcourt is just as good in 6-0 Tyler Tanner. He is averaging just over 16 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 steals. He leads the team in assists, including going for 19/14 against South Carolina. He is top 40 in steal rate as well, and has taken a huge step forward from last season. This season, he is shooting 43% from behind the arc, so you can’t let him get them off.

Tyler Tanner is an elite passer. https://x.com/VandyMBB/status/2007552952899084733?s=20

Another guy who has taken a solid jump in shooting is 6-7 Tyler Nickel. Nickel is currently 10th in the country in offensive rating, to go with 4th in True Shooting Percentage. This is largely based on his excellent shooting inside the arc and over 49% 3pt percentage. He is the highest volume shooter on Vanderbilt, and not allowing him to get going will need to be a key.

Tyler Nickel doesn’t need much space and can heat up in a hurry so Alabama must stay attached. https://x.com/VandyMBB/status/2007549398746620247?s=20

Starting at center and leading them in rebounding is 6-7 Devin McGlockton. McGlockton is someone who is a great rebounder and physical interior player who starts at the 5 and then shifts up to the 4 when Washington comes in. He is elite at finishing around the rim, currently 7th in the country at over 78% from 2. He also has the ability to step back from deep if left open.

McGlockton is seen more as an interior presence but you cant leave him open from deep either. https://x.com/VandyMBB/status/2007535448810197359?s=20

Their tallest player, 6-10 North Carolina transfer Jalen Washington, often comes off the bench but has started a game for them this season. He leads the team in blocks and is coming off a very solid performance versus South Carolina, where he put up 10 & 8. He mostly impacts the game by blocking shots at the rim and as a rebounder, where he finishes well inside the arc.

Their last major contributor is 6-7 AK Okereke. The Cornell transfer has a solid build and gives them decent rotational minutes in the front court. This season he also has been able to step back from deep shooting over 36% from 3. He really has a ton of success inside the arc where he is very efficient.

He can shoot well from deep but also has the burst of athleticism to hammer it home. https://x.com/VandyMBB/status/2007536586288681405?s=20

These are the main rotation pieces for Vanderbilt, especially since they will be without 6-1 Frankie Collins in this game. You may also see 6-5 Chandler Bing and 6-5 Mike James, but they serve mostly as bench pieces to help get the starters some rest.

Vanderbilt is a very good team in a lot of key areas. They are 4th in the country in offense, and that is due to how successful they are inside the arc, #4 in the country. Also, on offense, they do a great job not getting their shots blocked or turning over the ball, which leads to a very efficient offense. On defense, they do a good job getting steals, defensive rebounding, and limiting assists.

Alabama should be able to have success in a few key areas, though. Vanderbilt is not a great offensive rebounding team, which should allow Alabama to get out in transition, and they have been terrible at fouling and putting teams on the line at around 320th in America. Finally, while they have limited assists, they have not done the best job at running teams off the 3pt line and that could spell disaster against an elite shooting team like Alabama.

My player to watch is Latrell Wrightsell. Coming back from injury this season, his offensive numbers have not been what they were in the past from a shooting perspective, but I still know the type of shooter and player he can be. But I think he is the guy to watch because of his perimeter defense. He has been an elite defender for Alabama, and I think he will have a big game in this one. He also has the best TO rate on the team and against a Vandy team, which will want to force steals. I think that is huge.

Vanderbilt is a very good team, and that's why they are 14-0, and this game will be a very tough test for Alabama to go on the road. However, Nate Oats says titles is what he is after, and a win in this game will go a very long way towards a regular season crown. When you add that with the fact that I believe Alabama has the best backcourt in America, and I do not think Vanderbilt is built to expose Alabama’s weaknesses, I am going with the Tide to pull it out.

Prediction: Alabama 94 - Vanderbilt 89

I broke down this game even further on my YouTube channel. Check it out and Subscribe for More Alabama Basketball Content. https://youtu.be/GKvmJS40n5o