Vanderbilt Sports Line

Vanderbilt Dominates Ole Miss 102 - 76

2012-02-16T22:08:00.000-06:00

Rece Davis said it best, tonight's game changed when Jeffery Taylor was announced in the starting line-up. I have a hard time believing there's been a better performance in a half than Taylor had. 21 points, 8-8 from the floor, 5-5 from downtown, 2-3 from the charity stripe, to go along with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. During Taylor's scorching half, Hubert Davis made a great point about Jeffery's need to be assertive on a regular basis. As Hubert pointed out, Taylor was averaging 11 FGAs heading into tonight's game. That number needs to be 15 or higher. Jeffery Taylor is the Commodores game-changer and tonight, he proved it.

It's worth mentioning that it wasn't just Taylor who played great in the 1st half. Vanderbilt played an exception first half. Shooting 77% from the field and an astonishing 10-12 from downtown. Of the Commodores 17 first half field goals, 14 were assisted.

The game got sloppy as the Rebels fell further and further behind. Make no mistake about it, this was a dominating performance. Vanderbilt hit the century mark and scored the most points in an SEC game this season. Jeffery ended the game with 28, while Jenkins poured in an additional 26. Perhaps the most encouraging stat of the game was the bench, particularly Kedren Johnson who scored 6 points and 5 assists while committing 0 turnovers. The bench netted 24 total, although they certainly got a lot of time given how out of reach this game was.

We'll take it. The Commodores are in sole possession of 3rd place in the SEC and have another big game Sunday against the Bulldogs. If we can sweep this road trip, Commodore fans will have reason to be optimistic (if only for a few minutes)

Live-Blog: Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

2012-02-16T19:50:00.000-06:00

Vanderbilt @ Ole Miss

Sally Jenkins Despises Randy Edsall Even More Than We Do

2012-02-16T19:00:00.002-06:00

The Washington Post columnist DESTROYS Randy Edsall in today's paper. I won't excerpt because the whole column should be read . . . preferably more than once for full effect. If nothing else, Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson would be well advised to read it least once.

We'll Do It Live: Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

2012-02-16T18:44:00.000-06:00

Be there or be sqaure

Will Danny O'Brien be a Commodore in 2012?

2012-02-16T18:00:00.000-06:00

Uninformed speculation is what we do best were at VSL, so this question seemed extremely appropriate.

I'm going on the record that Danny O'Brien will be battling Jordan Rodgers for QB1 when practice opens in the fall.

Bruce Feldman Reports Danny O'Brien Likely to Appeal

2012-02-16T16:33:00.002-06:00

CBSSportsline.com's Bruce Feldman is reporting that Danny O'Brien is likely to appeal Randy Edsall's decision to release the former ACC Rookie of the Year from his Maryland scholarship, so long as he did not go to Vanderbilt.

According to Feldman's post, the O'Brien's high school football coach is his source:

Todd Willert, who says he speaks to the QB almost every day, expects the family will make such an appeal in order to have the option to transfer to Vandy.

"I believe they will," said Willert. "This weekend, Danny and his family will sort through everything. They think (Vandy) should be an option but I don't know exactly what they'll decide. It should be an option for him. Just be fair to everybody. Danny has no ill will towards anybody."

At what point does the University of Maryland step up and decide their coach has dug in on the wrong issue? And, perhaps more importantly, at what point does Kevin Anderson get tired of his former quarterback looking more mature than his current head football coach?

As soon as O'Brien appeals, the NCAA will investigate the circumstances surrounding the restriction and Edsall will be forced to put up or shut up. The O'Briens wouldn't be appealing if somethig untoward happened, and the fact that Danny O'Brien's high school coach is going to the press just ratchets this thing up another level. Is Edsall crazy enough to think NCAA will prevent a student from freely transfering to a school that is not on Maryland's schedule and not in their conference based on a coach's perrogative?

For what it's worth, I have no doubt that Todd Willert has been the "go-between" between O'Brien and possible suitors prior to being granted his release. Since Franklin is the one who recruited O'Brien, it is exceedingly likely he has (or had) a good relationship with Willert. The lond and the short of it is that the O'Briens are going on offense - as well they should. Randy Edsall is a bully who is about to have his bluff called. As Bob Dylan says, "you can't win with a losing hand."

I don't see how this ends well for Edsall, especially if the O'Briens appeal to the NCAA. At this point, the powers that be at Maryland would be well advised to tell Randy to stand down.

The Guru Speaks: David Williams' Live-Blog

2012-02-16T14:35:00.003-06:00

Here is the entirety of Vice Chancellor David Williams' live-blog on VUCommodores.com. He took the high-road on my question regarding Randy Edsall. Part of me was hoping he'd call him a hoser.

The Worldwide Leader Weighs in: Edsall is a Hoser

2012-02-16T10:35:00.003-06:00

OK, maybe that's not a direct quote, but it is certainly the sentiment in Edward Aschoff's post on ESPN.com's College Football Nation Blog. Although Aschoff alludes to accuastions of improper contact by Franklin, I think this observation strikes at the heart of the absurdity of Edsall's intransience: "The problem is that there really isn't much of a reason to put Vanderbilt on this list. He bolted from UConn to Maryland because it was his 'dream job' but these players can't head to Vanderbilt to finish out their football careers?" (I add parenthetically, to play for the Coach who recruited them and appears far more interested in their development as players)

As ESPN.com's ACC blogger Heather Dinich notes, however, Edsall's been mismanaging things since he got to College Park.

Washington Times Slams Edsall . . . Because He's a Hoser

2012-02-15T22:07:00.004-06:00

Dan Daly lays a 2 x 4 to Randy Edsall as a "[personification] of a backwards landscape." Daly makes the point as clearly as anyone: "If Edsall has a beef against Vanderbilt, feels there might have been improper contact with any of the players, by all means let’s get it out in the open. Don’t hand us this vague suspicion of 'things you feel might have taken place.' Explanations don’t get much lamer than that." Exactly.

If there was any doubt about Edsall's real motivation, his interview with Chick Hernandez should disspell any notion this is is about anything other than Randy's bruised ego and megalomania. Although Edsall certainly has a "right" to prevent Danny O'Brien, Max Garcia, and Mario Rowson from transferring to Vanderbilt, that doesn't mean he should. At some point, one would hope the higher-ups at Maryland would implore their football coach to do the right thing. Paging Kevin Anderson...paging Kevin Anderson.

Edsall Speaks, Defends "Right" to Hold O'Brien and Others Hostage

2012-02-15T09:12:00.004-06:00

Edsall "defended" the stipulations preventing O'Brien, Max Garcia, and Mario Rowson from transferring to Vanderbilt saying: "There are going to be schools on there that you might complete against or if there are things that we feel may have taken place you might put schools on that list. We have that prerogative to put those schools on that list, the players have the prerogative that if they want to appeal, that they can appeal that as well." Edsall goes on to say: "If we have the right to do what we need to do, the player has the right to do what he needs to do in terms of the appeal process and that's how it goes."

This is complete crap. "If there are things that we feel may have taken place" is not a credible explanation for preventing a kid (or kids) from transferring to a school coached by the guy who recruited him in the first place. After watching that, does anyone doubt that this is all sour-grapes from Edsall who doesn't like the fact that Franklin's success at Vanderbilt (especially when compared to his 2-10 debut campaign at Maryland) is what is motivating his intransigence? Edsall's quip, "If we have the right to do what we need to do," is much more in line with what is clearly going on.

Frankly, it's sad. Randy Edsall is holding 3 players' future hostage because he doesn't like the fact Vanderbilt and James Franklin have caused many Terrapin fans to wonder whether they made the right call in letting Franklin come to Nashville.

UPDATE: Just saw this from Dan Steinburg in his blog on the Washington Post. He feels me.

#Freedannyobrien Update

2012-02-14T21:00:00.002-06:00

The Washington Post's Eric Prisbell has a new blog post on Generalissimo Edsall's release of Danny O'Brien, Offensive Lineman Max Garcia, and Linebacker Mario Rowson from Maryland so long as they don't transfer to Vanderbilt. Prisbell provides some context: "Make no mistake, it is common for a coach to stipulate that players can’t transfer to schools that are on the schedule in the near future . . . But one longtime college administrator told me it is uncommon for a coach to prohibit players from transferring to a school that his school will not play, which is the case with Vanderbilt and Maryland." The post goes on to speculate: "With Edsall including that specific stipulation, the insinuation is that something untoward may have occurred, and it raises the question of whether premature contact may have occurred between Vanderbilt and some of the Maryland players."

Here's what Seamus wrote in response to a previous post on this subject:

Although I can't claim any inside knowledge, I have a hard time believing CJF would be stupid enough to have contacted O'Brien or these two other kids before a release was authorized. What I would find more plausible is that O'Brien may have reached out to CJF or one of the assistants on his own accord. But in that case, I think CJF is under an obligation to report the communication to the NCAA. Someone correct me if I have the rules wrong.

The bottom line for me is this: I'm not going to assume there was a violation without something more than innuendo. And if Edsall and other folks at Maryland are making this insinuation (or at least not attempting to refute it) as a pretext for what is in fact just a sinister kind of hostage-holding, as O'Shea's post suggests it is, then that just adds more ammo to the attack on Edsall's character.

I think my man has it exactly right. The only evidence that something untoward happened with Franklin is how unprecedented and vindictive Edsall's actions are. The conclusion we are forced to draw is either Vanderbilt's staff did something patently illegal under the NCAA's rules, or Edsall is a malicious and spiteful man who . . . you get it. I'm going with option B.

According to a source close to O’Brien, the now former Terrapin QB might consider appealing the stipulation to the NCAA. I hope he does. This situation with Danny and Todd O'Brien (as well as the other Maryland players who's options are being held hostage by Edsall) is a black eye for the NCAA and its member institutions that require corrective action. The purported concern for student-athletes you often hear isn't readily apparent on this one.

In case Edsall wants to see what the high-road looks like, he should read Danny O'Brien's letter announcing he is leaving the Terrapin program:

After careful thought, contemplation, prayer, and consultation with my family, we have come to a consensus that it is in my best interest to continue my educational and athletic endeavors elsewhere.

This was a very difficult decision, one which I did not take lightly. I will forever cherish the friendships of teammates, academic and athletic support staff, fellow students, professors, and of course Terp fans.

Playing at Byrd Stadium and experiencing college life in College Park will remain as unforgettable experiences for the rest of my life. I certainly wish nothing but the best to the team next season and for years to come.

I look forward to completing one of my established goals of graduating from the University of Maryland this spring and becoming a proud alumnus of this great institution.
Danny O’Brien

Your move, Randy.

Tune In Tonight to Cheer On Zack Terrill in the College Jeopardy National Championship

2012-02-14T13:36:00.002-06:00

Football, basketball and baseball tend to occupy nearly all of our energy here at VSL. As such, we have been remiss in not alerting VSL Nation to an important development: There is a national championship on the line for Vanderbilt University TONIGHT.

Yes, that's right, after beating out nearly 12,000 competitors from across the country to get to this point, VU senior Zack Terrill will be vying for all the marbles -- $100,000 worth to be precise -- in the final half of the final round of the Jeopardy! College Championship at 6pm CST (check your local listings) against a couple of really smart ladies from relatively obscure colleges. If you happened to catch the first half of final-round action last night, you already know that it was an intense, hotly contested battle with multiple lead changes and momentum swings for all three contests. Although Zack finished a close third at the end of the first half, he is very much within striking distance. This is anyone's championship.

For what it's worth, I don't know Zack Terrill from Adam but I have to say he comes across as a very pleasant fellow on national TV. Do us proud, my good man.

Go Dore.

#FreeDannyOBrien; or Why Randy Edsall is a Hoser

2012-02-13T21:49:00.009-06:00

Quarterback Danny O'Brien, the 2010 ACC Rookie of Year, has requested (and been granted) a release from the University of Maryland football program. Eric Prisbell, the Washington Post's Maryland beat report who Commodore fans came to know well during the saga surrounding the hiring of James Franklin, sets the scene very well:

Danny O’Brien is expected to graduate in the spring. That would enable the Maryland quarterback, with two years of eligibility remaining, to transfer to another Football Bowl Subdivision school and play immediately. The one stipulation is that O’Brien enroll in a graduate program not offered at Maryland.

Sounds pretty good, right? Here's a guy who was successful enough on the field to win major accolades in a BCS conference while at the same time earn his degree in 3 years. Sounds like a guy that should be celebrated. Sounds like a guy who should have a lot of options. He does, just not as many as he should.

Here's some background: O'Brien didn't play much his sophomore year. Although I don't know why the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year found himself holing a clipboard through much of the 2011 season, I have to think that fact had something to do with his (now former) head coach, Randy Edsall. Edsall, UConn's head coach for 11 years before heading to College Park, was hired in 2011 after Maryland fired Ralph Friedigen. Maryland fired Ralph Friedgen in large part, because Vanderbilt hired James Franklin. After Franklin headed to Nashville, Maryland's Athletic Director Kevin Anderson (don't you wish you had one of those, Commodore fans?), was off the hook from either a) making Franklin the head football coach at Maryland starting in 2012, or b) paying Franklin $1 million dollars in the event he wasn't. Which brings us back to Danny O'Brien.

Franklin recruited O'Brien to play at Maryland. As a result, O'Brien was committed to Maryland for the entirety of his 5-years of NCAA eligibility absent a release from Maryland or a special dispensation from the NCAA. It is worth mentioning that, although O'Brien's commitment to Maryland was for as many as 5 years, Maryland's commitment to him was for no longer than one year at a time, and was still subject to the head coach's decision to keep, play, or cut him. That's because, most schools only offer renewable one-year scholarships (a system the NCAA's members want to keep in place, apparently). This is something I've never said before on this site, but the Big Ten is right. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive called for schools to offer multi-year scholarships at the 2011 Media Days, unfortunately, only Florida and Auburn have given multi-year scholarships to players in the SEC so far. Whether Vanderbilt should make a similar committment is a matter for a different post, although for what it's worth, I believe they should. But I digress...

Randy Edsall has granted O'Brien's request to transfer from Maryland, with one caveat: the release does not include Vanderbilt. According to Prisbell's blog on the Post's website, a condition of his release was that O'Brien not be allowed to transfer to a school coached by the man who recruited him, at a school in a different conference, for a team that was not scheduled to play Maryland in the next 2 years (and who hasn't played them since 1987). The final section of the post highlights the absurdity of the whole thing: "If Edsall had allowed O’Brien to transfer to Vanderbilt, it’s unclear that O’Brien would have done so. But Edsall is not allowing O’Brien to make that move."

Frankly, I'm not sure Vanderbilt needs another Quarterback. We've got 4 on the roster, including a guy who showed flashes of brilliance and led the team to only their second bowl appearance since 1982. But that's not the issue. Randy Edsall is holding a player hostage because he doesn't like the fact that the guy Maryland let go in order to hire him has been more successful than he has at a harder job in a better conferece. If I was a Maryland fan, I'd be outraged.

I guess it could be worse, Edsall could by Phil Martelli, St. Joe's Head Basketball Coach who is refusing to release Todd O'Brien (maybe it's an O'Brien thing), a player who graduated and wanted to persue a graduate degree at a school that offered another program, thereby enabling him to play at UAB during his final year of NCAA eligibiltiy. Not exactly sterling company for Randy to emulate. Danny O'Brien's situation won't get, nor does it deserve, the attention being paid to Todd O'Brien. After all, Danny will be able to play somewhere for 2 years, while it is looking increasinly likely that Todd will not. The two predicaments aren't equilivant, but they do shed light on an overal problem in college sports and that makes the NCAA (and its member institutions) look more like obtuse desots than institutions of higher learning.

Shame on you, Randy Edsall.

UPDATE: Pre-Snap Read has a very good piece on this by Paul Myerburg that is worth a read.

Morning After Perspective

2012-02-12T15:43:00.003-06:00

Having drowned the post-game sorrows last night, arisen to a new day, and contemplated the game for at least one of the five hours it took to get back to South Carolina, I think you have to feel somewhere in the middle about last night's loss to Kentucky. The Commodores played one fairly poor half and one really great one. They show a great deal of promise, and then they fall just short. In a lot of ways, this game was a microcosm of the Commodores season. Good, even very good at times, but not great.

From a purely objective standpoint, you have to be pleased with the Commodores performance last night. Kentucky is simply an unbelievable team. They are nearly as good offensively as they are defensively. They mix the talent of Calipari's 2009-2010 team with the poise and teamwork of his 2010-2011 team. They are hands-down the best team in the country. So when you lose by six at home against the best team in the land, you can't get too disappointed. We went toe-to-toe with them right down to the wire, and proved that we can play with anyone in March.

As far as the praise goes, the guys left their hearts on the floor. They played with the kind of effort and desire you need to pull off the big upset. They didn't turn the ball over nearly as much. If you're going to criticize, you gotta praise, and the Bench deserves some. They came in and gave us what we needed them to give: solid, albeit brief, turnover free minutes. We just had a bad cold streak to start the game. Some of it was Kentucky's incredible length, some of it was streaky shooting. Despite that, we fought back to take a lead. The effort really was amazing. It wasn't flawless, but it was the kind of fight fans of this team should be proud of.

That being said, moral victories are no longer satisfactory for this program. Fans are justifiably frustrated with yet another close loss in yet another potential statement game. The window of opportunity to achieve the high goals that this team has closes just a bit more with each game that passes. With March quickly approaching, fans are hoping to see the Commodores best basketball in February as an omen of great things to come. I certainly hope we didn't see it last night. I really don't know if we did or not. I'm not sure if this game will ignite a major run or if its just the hard sound of our heads hitting the ceiling. What I do know is, an incredible tournament run can erase everything in one fell swoop. As a Vandy fan, and for my sanity's sake, I am going to reserve full judgment until then and try to enjoy each game leading up. At this point, that's really all that's left.

In Memoriam

2012-02-12T08:47:00.003-06:00

The pregame national anthem at its very best:

VU vs. UK: Postgame Thoughts

2012-02-11T22:06:00.003-06:00

We have nothing to be ashamed of. Played a helluva second half, fought hard, played as a team. As much as anything, the difference in the game came down to blocks: UK 12, VU 4. It really could've gone either way, we just didn't get shots to fall down the stretch when we needed them. Hats off to Kentucky, they are a great team. Anthony Davis is very, very impressive.

More thoughts in due course, but after watching that game I'm coming back around to the hope that we can make a deep run in the tournament, especially if Festus's health continues to improve.

The floor is open, VSL Nation.

VU vs. UK: Halftime Thoughts

2012-02-11T21:05:00.001-06:00

Kentucky plays great defense, but there seems to be a lid on the basket. So many missed opportunities in the paint, including a number of times when we did a great job of crashing the offensive glass and getting second chances. We actually executed decently in terms of getting it inside, but when UK collapses on Festus we need to be quicker and crisper about kicking it back out to the open shooter or else taking it up strong. They are way too active with their hands for us to be doing a lot of dribbling around the basket, and that's especially true when it's Festus putting it on the floor. Also, getting them to foul is great but it's not worth a whole lot when you miss your free throws (looking at you Fez).

Defense is another matter. Given how well UK executes, I think we've handled ourselves reasonably well, if less consistently than one would like, but it would be nice to see us actually make a few adjustments and pick up on the idea that they're looking to go over the top on practically every play. It would also be nice to see us box out better on the defensive end, because it turns out that, unlike us, Kentucky is not missing their putback opportunities.

I don't like that Jeffery Taylor has only taken three shots.

VU vs. UK: Pregame Assessment

2012-02-11T19:44:00.003-06:00

Well, Dickie V's effort to crowd-surf in the Vandy student section made me cringe, and the GameDay crew has spent at least 45 minutes today talking about the advantage ("Is it unfair?" they ask) of the benches being on the baselines instead of the sideline. (On a side note, how obvious is it that Calipari's whining about this issue is a direct shot at Stallings for complaining about Kentucky's scheduling advantage? Now Cal announces a plan to petition the league office. Love it.) The game hasn't even started yet and I'm already annoyed with the coverage. On the plus side, crowd looks good & rowdy.

Bring Linsanity to Memorial Gym

2012-02-11T10:15:00.005-06:00

Tragically, Douglas James and I are unable to join the Stanimal, O'Shea, and the ESPN GameDay crew to witness in person Vanderbilt's highly anticipated matchup against the #1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, who enter Memorial today coming off a 78-58 beatdown of the Florida Gators. Rest assured though, we'll be there in spirit, even if it means nearly destroying the TV set every time Anthony Davis gets away with a hack while blocking one of his 4.8 shots. Even if it means having to crash early because we are sapped of all energy following a heartbreak finish, a la the “John Wall block” game of 2010.

It hardly needs repeating that this season hasn’t played out the way we'd all hoped it would. Preseason expectations have not been met. Star center has been injured and is still less than full-strength. Bench has not carried the weight many of us thought it could/should carry. Good players, to be sure. But the results? Underwhelming. To be perfectly frank, I’ve gotten a little bored. We need something. Anything. A spark. An injection of excitement. Perhaps a touch of...dare I say it...Linsanity?

Yes, yes indeed. Like many in America, I did not feel very invested in this NBA season following all the drama with the lockout. But after what Jeremy Lin did this week, and especially last night in dropping 38 on Kobe and the Lakers to lead New York to its first win over LA in 10 tries, I’m opening up space on my calendar to watch Knick basketball. Count me in. I’m on the Lin bandwagon. I love it -- the story, the attitude, the energy. I have no allegiance to the Knicks, but I’m all about Linsanity. The guy has reenergized a team that appeared to be on the brink of collapsing under the weight of injuries and letdowns. In one week, he turned the tide of enthusiasm for a team that, despite some star power (Melo, Amare), had become -- not unlike the Dores (JT, JJ) -- a little, well, boring.

This is my fondest hope for Vanderbilt basketball in 2012: That today will mark the beginning of an epic momentum swing leading clear into March. It’s not that I’m looking for some hero to step in off the bench and save the day. We’ve got the horses. With Festus coming off his best game of the season, he could make a statement against arguably the best big man in America. JJ could go for 30. Jeff could put the team on his back. Lance could grab 20 boards. Whatever. It’s not about the “who.” This is the most efficient offensive team we have seen to date -- we need to rebound and limit second-chance opportunities and points in the paint. We need to get to the free-throw line and get them in foul trouble. Limit Davis’s minutes. We need to hit threes, play D, curb their transition offense, move without the ball, set screens to free up our shooters. It’s execution and effort we need, and we need Memorial Magic to feed it. Lest we forget, VU has won four straight against #1 teams at home. We got this. I’m not looking for our Jeremy Lin, folks. I’m looking for Linsanity.

VSL Nation, I ask you to help bring that tonight. Happy GameDay.

Vandy Takes Down LSU 76-61

2012-02-09T07:43:00.002-06:00

I'm wondering if I'm the cursed one. Vandy went into the half tied at 27. They shot 38.7% from the field. I turned the game off and started sulking like a child. I check my phone and twitter, and Vandy pours it on during the second half to put LSU away. Fez had 21 points in the second half, JJ had 20, and JT had 19. Vandy allowed 1.0 ppp to LSU, which is about their average (they are not a good offensive team). This was a game we had to have, and we did what we were supposed to do, which is win the games we should.

Saturday is a big game. Kentucky will come into Memorial as the heavy favorites. For the past two weeks they have been steamrolling opponents, and have been amazing on offense and defense. Looking at the efficiency stats is pretty incredible. Our boys will have to play the game of their lives. But, as they say, that's why you play the games.

VSL Gets You Ready: Previewing LSU at Vanderbilt

2012-02-08T09:17:00.002-06:00

Vanderbilt plays LSU tonight at Memorial Gym. The tip-off time is at 9/8 Central.

This preview is gonna be brief because I'm pretty swamped. I've been hesitant to declare anything a must-win, but this game officially is. Based on the rest of the schedule, Vanderbilt will probably be favored in only four (maybe five) of their last eight games. This means that we are faced with the possibility of having a 9 win season. That will probably be good enough, given Vandy's standing in the RPI (29) to punch a ticket to the NCAAs, but is unlikely to land us much higher than a six-seed. Of course, Vandy's best luck has come when they were a six-seed, as both Sweet 16 squads can attest. While that is certainly disappointing given the pre-season expectations, Vandy fans will likely be watching their team play in the Big Dance. So you're saying there's a chance!

Of course, if they want to protect their status, they can't lose anymore games that they should win. Vegas says that this is definitely a game we should win, and to the tune of at least 10 points. KenPom is about on the same page with a 9 point victory, and Sagarin says about 10. In other words, Vandy has to take care of business at home.

But keep in mind, LSU is not even close to the worst team we've played. They are a very decent squad after being at or near the SEC's doormat for the past couple of seasons. This will not be a cake walk game. However, a loss would be disastrous.

Amazing how the rhetoric changes after an 0-fer week. Sound off your thoughts.

Vandy Falls to Florida 73-65

2012-02-04T15:56:00.003-06:00

At the 15:27 mark in the second half, Vandy had a 43-40 lead, was on a 9-3 run and had the ball. Stallings subbed in Odom, Parker, and Ezeli for Taylor, Goulbourne, and Tchiengang. The next three possessions of the game went turnover Odom, foul Odom with two made free throws, and turnover Parker. As a result, Taylor and Goulbourne got approximately 15 seconds of rest and were forced to sub back in. Taylor did not sub out again until 7:54. He subbed back in one minute later.

I bring this up because it highlights what I perceive to be Vandy's most significant problem: the bench is a complete momentum suck right now. I felt this problem was mitigated by Stallings personnel rotations in the past month, but it has been exposed this week. It is no secret that Vandy gets very little offensive production from its bench. This was not a problem when they didn't turn the ball over. The bench appeared to be getting its feet underneath them for the past month or so. They took better care of the ball, and were used in spot minutes with key contributors to hide their offensive deficiencies. They were even starting to contribute some offensive punch. Then we played Arkansas, who loves to create turnovers, and Vandy's bench had difficulty getting the ball across half court. The same happened today at Florida. Your bench cannot give you merely 2 points and more turnovers than shot attempts. Someone from that crew MUST man up.

Sound off VSLNation.

VSL Gets You Ready: Previewing Vanderbilt at Florida

2012-02-03T08:08:00.004-06:00

Vanderbilt takes its second difficult road trip of the week to Gainesville for a Saturday 1:00 PM matchup against the Florida Gators. The game is televised on CBS.

Make no mistake, the O-Dome is an exceptionally difficult place to play. Florida, like Arkansas, is also undefeated at home this season and Vandy has only won there only once in the past five seasons. For whatever reason, the 'Dores have always had trouble with the Gators, particularly last year when we lost to them three times, and there should be a great deal of warranted concern about this matchup.

That being said, KenPom suggests that this years edition of Florida actually matches up favorably for us. The reason is that, despite having the most efficient offense in the country, they are not a very good defensive team. Last year they were basically our kryptonite because they could snag rebounds, but this year they are nowhere near as potent on the glass, mostly because they run with a much smaller lineup. They don't force a lot of turnovers either, though. Finally, this is about an even tempo game, as Florida does not try to run and gun you much.

This will be a huge test for the defense though, because Florida is simply immaculate on offense. They are number 1 in the country in offensive efficiency, and are exceptional at scoring from 3 and from 2. They have tons of offensive weapons. After very poor defensive performances against MTSU and Arkansas, Commodore fans should be very concerned about this match-up, particularly on the road.

This isn't a must win for the 'Dores, but there's no question that, if we want to be seeded any higher than 6, we probably need to split the UK or Florida series and not trip up in games that should be wins. Our most difficult road games left will be this one, UK, and Ole Miss. I think we can afford drops at those three (with at least a win at home over Florida or UK), and still get to about a five seed. That may be wishful thinking, but I'll stick to it. For a season where the bar was initially set in the top-10 range, maybe its time to start being a bit more realistic. After all, even if this hasn't been the regular season we'd hoped for, it still doesn't mean we can't have a magical March.

If You Only Read One Signing Day Story, Read Andy Staples'

2012-02-01T20:45:00.002-06:00

Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples was embedded with Coach James Franklin and the Vanderbilt Football staff on National Signing Day.

James Franklin's National Signing Day Press Conference

2012-02-01T18:51:00.002-06:00