Vanderbilt was one of the biggest surprise teams last season. I think many expected them to have another NCAA Tournament appearance, but they did far better than that, notching a No. 5 seed in the Big Dance and knocking off a number of top SEC teams along the way. Coach Mark Byington will have some big pieces to replace going into next season, but getting Tyler Tanner back in the fold was perhaps one of the best recruiting jobs in the country.
Tanner was dynamic last season on his way to first-team All-SEC honors, averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. He will have a new backcourt partner with Duke Miles (16.1 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2.6 SPG) now gone. Enter Ace Glass, who had a spectacular freshman season at Washington State, averaging 16.4 points, 2.3 assists and 2.2 three-pointers per contest. Glass will be given the green light in this offensive-friendly system to put up some big-time numbers.
T.O. Barrett from Missouri will likely start at SF. Barrett is a solid defender who can handle the ball, but he is a bit of a liability from three-point range.
The frontcourt also gets a completely new look. Bangot Dak comes over after three seasons at Colorado, the last of which he became a really well-rounded player on both sides of the court. Berke Buyuktuncel should slot in at center after played the last two seasons at Nebraska. Both guys should be very solid role players on this squad that bring everything together. Sebastian Williams-Adams also comes over from Auburn after his freshman season. The 6-8 forward has a ton of upside if coach Byington can find the right role for him.
Vandy also brought in a trio of freshmen who should have a chance to work into the rotation. Ethan Mgbako is physically the most ready to compete right away as a big-bodied wing who can really score, but Anthony Brown Jr. is the player to watch. He has a very small frame, but can catch fire at any moment. Don’t be surprised to see him playing key minutes in games once we get to SEC play alongside Tanner in the backcourt.
Coach Byington has a great foundation in place and another stellar team lined up for next season, led by an SEC Player of the Year contender in Tyler Tanner. The Commodores might not have quite the number of scoring options from last season, but they have a lot more interior size to match up with the physical frontcourts of the SEC.
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PG: Tyler Tanner (19.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.4 SPG)
SG: Ace Glass (16.4 PPG, 2.2 3PM at Washington State)
SF: T.O. Barrett (8.6 PPG at Missouri)
PF: Bangot Dak (11.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG at Colorado)
C: Berke Buyuktuncel (6.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG at Nebraska)
Key Reserves: Sebastian Williams-Adams (7.0 PPG at Auburn), Chandler Bing (3.6 PPG), Anthony Brown Jr. (No. 82 in SC Next 100), Ethan Mgbako (No. 97 in SC Next 100), Jackson Sheffield (No. 99 in SC Next 100)
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