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Preseason No. 24 Vanderbilt men’s basketball took on the UAB Blazers Monday evening, where they secured their second exhibition victory of the season. Coming off their 83-72 victory against preseason No. 9 Virginia, the Commodores have shown fans an early glimpse of why this team has what it takes to be historic.
Vanderbilt lost four players to the transfer portal over the offseason alongside other major departures in Tyler Nickel, Duke Miles, Jalen Washington, and Devin McGlockton to the NBA Draft. Head Coach Mark Byington did not hold back in the transfer portal, adding new additions in size and speed, along with retaining Preseason First Team All-SEC and All-American Tyler Tanner.
After a slow start from the field, the Commodores broke free towards the end of the first half, and didn’t look back. Behind a box score highlighting multiple key players, Vanderbilt dominated all ends of the court. Byington’s squad continues to show why it continues to be looked at as an SEC frontrunner before the season tips off. With this being said, let’s take a look at three takeaways from the Commodores’ exhibition matchup.
Scary size
Last season, while Vanderbilt was able to dominate teams offensively, they struggled against teams with size. Byington accounted for this weakness in the portal, recruiting 6’11 senior Bangot Dak from Colorado, along with 6’10 center Berke Buyuktuncel from Nebraska.
Both centers, along with sophomore Jayden Leverett pulled the Blazers defense away from the arc, creating open space for the Commodores to let loose from three in the second half. Auburn transfer Sebastian Williams-Adams also impacted the game when on the court, scoring for the Commodores on multiple occasions. Vanderbilt relied heavily on exposing UAB’s frontcourt by feeding their big men inside. By doing so, the ‘Dores found most of their points coming from inside buckets or fouls from attacking the rim.
If Vanderbilt is able to continue to strain defensive tactics inside, it could open up shots behind the arc throughout the season, something that Byington’s squad loves to do.
Generating guards
Coming into this season, Tyler Tanner consistently ranks on big boards as one of the best point guards in the nation. Coming off averaging 19.5 points per game along with 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists, Tanner is not only looking to improve on these already impressive numbers, but show the country why the undersized guard has the talent take down giants.
This game was nothing short of a Tanner masterclass, when he played. Byington sat Tanner for majority of the game, to work more rotational players in. Through continued backcourt pressure and defensive IQ, Tanner was able to convert defensive pressure into offensive success, and lead the Commodores from up top. Along with his continued stardom, freshman Ant Brown Jr. is looking to put his name on watchlists this season, as he controlled the game at point when Tanner rested on the bench. Brown Jr. recorded a double-double, and showed veteran composure racking up 10 total assists and finding Dak on multiple occasions, while drawing attention away from Sophomore transfer guard Ace Glass. The Commodore guard room has taken a page from Tanner’s book, showing its improved ability to get downhill and score contested layups. This adds another dynamic piece to this already ‘magical’ offense.
If Vanderbilt can take advantage of the skill Ant Brown Jr. has shown so far from early minutes, they have the potential to possess one of the best backcourt rooms not only in the SEC, but in the country.
Composed and complete Commodores
After Vanderbilt’s early tournament exit in the March following their SEC title appearance, many fans were left wondering how this team could reload and make a deeper postseason push.
Last year, the Commodores relied heavily on pushing five players out beyond the arc on offense, and looking for three-point attempts. Defensively, they looked to force teams to shoot to prevent exposing them down low. However, against high-powered and sizable teams, the Commodores struggled.
Byington’s offseason adjustments have shown to be successful so far, with a lot to look forward to as the season approaches. Tanners’ early ability to connect with Dak could grow into one of the best guard-to-center duos in the country this season, along with Glass’ ability to open up the court on offense. Vanderbilts’ new additions are fitting right in with existing talent, creating a team that is just difficult to play against thus far. If the Black-and-Gold can keep this momentum rolling into their final exhibition, they sit in a great position to make history this season.
The Commodores will travel to Coral Gables, Friday Oct. 23rd where they take on the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes in their final exhibition, before tipping off against Bellarmine Monday, Nov. 2nd at Memorial Gymnasium.
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