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

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No. 11 Vanderbilt (13-0) continued its unbeaten start to the season with a win against South Carolina on Saturday. Tyler Tanner and AK Okereke led the way with 19 and 17 points, respectively, showing the depth of a Vanderbilt squad in the absence of leading scorer Duke Miles. The Black and Gold capitalized off their first SEC matchup, hoping to set the tone for the rest of conference play. The Commodores will now face No. 13 Alabama Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the first top-15 matchup at Memorial Gymnasium since 1974. 
For Alabama fans, the letter T has historically represented heated rivalries with teams like Tennessee and Texas. However, this Wednesday, Alabama fans and players will be worrying about a different set of Ts: Tyler Nickel and Tyler Tanner. Nickel has grown into a premier 3-point shooter in his second season with the Commodores, averaging a career-high 14.9 points per game on 49% shooting from behind the arc. The senior has grown extensively on his catch-and-shoot game, giving Vanderbilt a dangerous ability to score quickly and spread the floor on offense.  
Tyler Tanner has become possibly the most electric player on Vanderbilt’s roster, posting 19 points and 14 assists against South Carolina. The 6’0 guard uses his quickness to create open driving lanes, generate midrange shots and find open teammates. Tanner’s 14 assists against South Carolina were a key reason the Commodores came out on top. By halftime, Tanner logged seven assists and no turnovers, an extremely efficient metric for a pass-heavy guard at the collegiate level.  
If Alabama’s squad hopes to come out on top Wednesday, it will need to slow down Tanner’s passing abilities and quickly contest three-point shots from Nickel. The Crimson Tide averages just under seven blocks per game, showcasing their ability to contest shots. This will be extra important against a Vanderbilt team, averaging an impressive 93.4 points per game. However, Alabama averages 94.1 points per game, proving it can go toe-to-toe with the Commodores’ explosive offense. With two teams ranking top 10 nationally in scoring, this matchup is sure to have offensive fireworks. 
Vanderbilt’s leading scorer, Duke Miles, missed Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina with a reported leg injury. While the game showcased the Commodores’ depth, it will be important to have Miles back in the lineup against Alabama. Miles has stepped into a lead role for Vanderbilt, not only because of his play but also because of his leadership. With a senior-heavy squad including players Okereke, Nickel and Devin McGlockton, finding unity and leadership is a recipe for success. For Miles, winning at the highest level has always been a priority. From his days at High Point University, Miles has shown a prolific scoring ability and understanding of the game. Now, as the Commodores continue their historic season, Miles will need to get healthy and back to his normal playing self. If he’s had time to heal this week, Vanderbilt will be bringing back a player who can score in a flash against its toughest opponent yet. 
According to Mark Byington on Jon Rothstein’s show, Duke Miles has an “annoying” injury that will not limit him long-term. 
Alabama’s Aden Holloway is coming off back-to-back 26-point games. If the guard stays on pace against Vanderbilt, he will cap off one of the highest-scoring three-game stretches of this college basketball season. Holloway’s quickness off the dribble and ability to finish with both hands from a variety of angles around the basket make him a matchup nightmare. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native also makes his presence known from deep, as he shot 50% on 10 tries from beyond the arc against Yale and 75% on eight attempts versus Kentucky.  This combination of deep shooting and a strong ability to get to the hoop makes him difficult to guard one-on-one. Vanderbilt, which mainly runs man-to-man defense, will have to rise to the occasion in one-on-one situations if it hopes to contain a slew of Alabama scorers, including Holloway and leading scorer Labaron Philon Jr. 
Vanderbilt will face Alabama Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. CST at Memorial Gymnasium. 
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