Men’s Basketball: Previewing Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky – The Vanderbilt Hustler

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No. 15 Vanderbilt (17-3, 4-3 SEC) ended its three-game losing streak with a win against Mississippi State on Saturday. Point guard Tyler Tanner led the way with 24 points, and the Commodores outscored the Bulldogs by 21 points in the first half on their way to an 88-56 victory. This was an important win for Vanderbilt, which had previously lost three straight in conference play. 
This week, Vanderbilt will take on a hot Kentucky squad, which is on a five-game win streak in the SEC. 
Vanderbilt had one of the hottest starts in the country this season, winning 16 straight games to start its year. However, its momentum has quickly halted after losses to Texas, Florida and Arkansas. The Commodores’ most pressing issue is their lack of depth, which has been exposed recently with Duke Miles recovering from injury, forcing Tanner and Tyler Nickel to contribute the bulk of the team’s points if they want an opportunity to win. When Tanner and Nickel are shooting inefficiently, it leads to a noticeable drop-off in total team efficiency and points scored. 
The second recent issue for the Commodores is their inability to rebound. They were out-rebounded heavily in their losses to Florida (40-26) and Texas (42-24). It’s no secret that head coach Mark Byington’s team lacks size and instead relies on their quickness off the dribble. This has been a strength of the team for much of the season, but it is now becoming an issue when facing teams such as Florida, which wield a very tall starting five. If the Commodores hope to beat a surging Wildcat team, they are going to have to improve in both areas. They will need to find points off the bench and shoot more efficiently, or they will likely yield a similar result to the Arkansas game, in which they shot a disheartening 37% from the floor. 
Many have questioned whether Vanderbilt is a contender or pretender in recent weeks. For a team that looked so good in non-conference play, the Commodores now look lost, relying on their few scorers to hit shots and create one-on-ones, rather than moving the ball quickly. They have also decreased efficiency on catch-and-shoot opportunities compared to earlier in the season. But perhaps the most daunting aspect they need to improve is their play under pressure.  
When the Commodores have fallen behind this season, they look like a completely different team. Possessions shorten, and shot selection becomes more sporadic. When they are trailing, or in close games such as against Florida, their lack of experience as a unit becomes obvious. Vanderbilt is a team built around a combination of young and experienced players, which has led to a disconnect in pivotal moments. 
The Florida game serves as a perfect example. Vanderbilt was down by two points with enough time for one more possession, but instead of playing collected basketball and finding a good look, a quick and low-percentage shot was taken, resulting in a loss of possession and ultimately a loss in the game. If Vanderbilt hopes to make a splash in March, it must gain maturity and composure when faced with adversity, or the team will inevitably fall short. 
Kentucky Basketball always has high expectations to perform to the standard set by its teams of the early 2010s. These expectations are not unrealistic considering its talented and athletic roster. However, as has been the trend in the last few years, Kentucky got off to a rocky start this season with early losses to ranked opponents in Louisville and Michigan State, as well as a blowout loss to Gonzaga. The Wildcats have since righted the ship, winning five straight and beating strong opponents, including Texas and Tennessee. This leads to a very interesting matchup with Vanderbilt, a team that started fast and has now fallen into a slump. Kentucky will look to lean on its backcourt of stars Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen, and stopping those two will be Vanderbilt’s priority on defense. 
This is a pivotal match-up for both programs. Kentucky, whose recent years have been clouded by tournament upsets to St. Peter’s in 2022, Oakland in 2024, and only one Sweet 16 appearance in six seasons, against a Vanderbilt team that very well could end up having its greatest season in recent memory. Time will tell, but the result this Tuesday could provide a sneak peek into the future of both teams. 
Vanderbilt will face Kentucky Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. CST at Memorial Gymnasium. 
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