Women’s Basketball: Previewing Vanderbilt vs. Oklahoma – The Vanderbilt Hustler

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Men’s Basketball: Vanderbilt dominates Kentucky, wins 80-55 in Memorial Gymnasium
Men’s Basketball: Previewing Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
Since losing back-to-back games on the road — their only two losses this season — the ‘Dores have pushed to regain their dominant position in the SEC. After securing an 82-66 blowout over Florida followed by an 84-83 win over Kentucky, No. 7 Vanderbilt (22-2, 8-2 SEC) launches into a heated matchup at home versus No. 11 Oklahoma (17-5, 5-4 SEC). Oklahoma comes off a tight loss to No. 4 Texas (78-70) after a previous three-game win streak, making this matchup a possible bounce-back opportunity for the Sooners.
The Commodores enter as one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, including exceptional 3-point shooting and ball movement. The Sooners counter as a fast, defense-first unit that relies on interior scoring and pushing the pace to control games. Vanderbilt spaces the floor and prioritizes shot quality over speed, setting up an intense clash between two styles of play. How each team imposes its scoring areas and preferred pace will determine the outcome.
This game could be decided in the paint. Oklahoma scores efficiently inside, ranked No. 30 nationally in 2-point shooting (52.2%). The Sooners’ ability to finish at the rim is the largest contributor to their offensive success. Center Raegan Beers anchors Oklahoma’s interior attack, averaging 16 points and 10.7 rebounds per game while shooting 59.1% from the field.
Fortunately, for Oklahoma, Shea Ralph’s squad allows 45.9% on 2 pointers (No. 194 nationally) with a 47.0% defensive effective field goal percentage, signaling a potential vulnerability against their opponent’s strong inside abilities. However, the Commodores demonstrate elite rim protection, with forward Sacha Washington leading the way on defense to a team average of 5.5 blocks per game. This strength could be a key equalizer against Oklahoma’s paint dominance.  
The Sooners could gain a major efficiency edge if Beers can get in position for clean looks inside, where she has been thriving all season. If Washington and Vanderbilt’s help defense can better contest shots and continue blocking, they can force the Sooners to play a weaker perimeter offense. The Commodores will most likely be on a learning curve for the beginning of the game before locking in on defense to neutralize inside scoring.
Another key matchup will exist beyond the paint and beyond the arc. Vanderbilt brings elite shooting into the contest, posting a 123.4 offensive adjusted efficiency (No. 6 nationally) while hitting 36.9% from deep (No. 17 nationally). The Commodores do not necessarily play fast-paced, but remain one of the most threatening offenses in the league. Ralph and company maximize possessions through shot quality and spacing, making their 3-point looks especially dangerous.
This leverage for the ‘Dores is met head-on by Oklahoma’s lockdown defense. The Sooners own a top-10 adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing just 27.0% from the perimeter (No. 28 nationally). This season, Oklahoma has consistently forced shooters into harder attempts and out of clean looks.
If the Sooners can run Vanderbilt off the 3-point line and contain the perimeter, the Commodores will be forced to look inside where they play a weaker game. However, if Vanderbilt knocks down early 3-pointers, Oklahoma will be forced out of interior help, opening up more opportunities and driving lanes for Vanderbilt’s offense to work with. Ultimately, this perimeter battle controls whether the matchup becomes a shooting showcase or a more physical, defensive contest.
An important contest will be between star guards Mikayla Blakes and Aaliyah Chavez, both elite scorers and offensive engines for their respective squads. Blakes and Chavez are high-usage players with the ability to completely take over the game in critical moments, but they do so in different ways.
It seemed impossible that Blakes could outperform her remarkable freshman season with the ‘Dores, but she has done just that. The Somerset, New Jersey, native has not just avoided the “sophomore slump,” she has elevated every aspect of her game. As the second-leading scorer in the nation, she averages 25.6 points per game along with 4.6 assists. Blakes plays 84.4% of available minutes with a massive usage rate of 33.0%, meaning a third of Vanderbilt’s possessions run through her. She matches that level of volume with her efficiency, attacking downhill to shoot 53.1% on 2-pointers and drawing fouls at an elite rate. Not to mention, Blakes is clutch under pressure from deep. During Vanderbilt’s last matchup against Kentucky, Blakes scored 26 of her 37 points —  including a perfect 5-for-5 performance from behind the arc — in the second half.  
Freshman star Aaliyah Chavez brings a different kind of threat for the Sooners. Chavez operates as a primary perimeter scorer within Oklahoma’s faster, more balanced offense. Chavez’s shot profile shows a guard who prefers working from the perimeter, with only a 42.1% shot rate on 2-pointers. While Blakes pressures downhill, Chavez stretches the defense vertically, shooting 34.8% from deep and an impressive 89.7% from the free-throw line. Her game is based on spacing, as she often forces defenders to stay attached while opening lanes and kick-outs for teammates. Chavez is more of a rhythm scorer within Oklahoma’s high tempo offense, with the ability to hit tough jumpers and convert at the line. Her turnover rate of 18.1% does showcase the growing pains of a high-responsibility freshman, but Chavez still plays with a confidence that makes her Oklahoma’s go-to closer and a critical counter to Blakes.
If Blakes can consistently get to the rim and control possessions, along with showcasing elite shooting like she did at Kentucky, Vanderbilt will take the efficiency edge. However, do not count out Chavez. When she finds her shooting groove and stretches the defense, Oklahoma’s offense opens up and becomes a true threat. Whichever guard can inflict her style early on will dictate the momentum of the entire contest.  
Vanderbilt will take on Oklahoma this Monday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. CST in Memorial Gymnasium.
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