On Tuesday afternoon, Men’s Basketball head coach Jerry Stackhouse spoke to the media for the first time since SEC Media Day and previewed the 2023-24 season. Football head coach Clark Lea spoke to the media and previewed Vanderbilt’s upcoming matchup with the Auburn Tigers. Lea’s squad has lost seven consecutive games and will look to win its final home game of the season on Saturday. 

Jerry Stackhouse on Basketball

One week before their first game of the season, members of the Vanderbilt Basketball program spoke to the media. Head coach Jerry Stackhouse began the press conference and was followed by fifth-year senior point guard Ezra Manjon and sophomore forward Colin Smith. Stackhouse spoke about what bringing Tyrin Lawrence back to Vanderbilt means for the program.

“Tyrin leads by example,” Stackhouse said. “He just continues to do what he does. Perform on the court, get downhill and make the right plays That’s the advantage of having older guys that have been in the program and know what to do and what to expect.”

Stackhouse later compared the 2022-23 team to this year’s team, noting that Vanderbilt’s rotation will look different than in previous years. The Commodores lose four of their six leading scorers from last season in Liam Robbins, Jordan Wright, Myles Stute and Trey Thomas. Transfers Evan Taylor, Ven-Allen Lubin and ​​Tasos Kamateros will all be in the main rotation for this year’s team and look to help in the Commodores’ hope to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.

“Evan Taylor’s been really good, he’s a good shooter,” Stackhouse said. “Tasos Kamateros is a guy that can really stretch the floor for us…What we give up on the defensive end, we definitely gain that advantage of having him being able to stretch the floor on the offensive side.”

To conclude his presser, Stackhouse emphasized the importance of the fans in Memorial Gymnasium. At the end of last season, Vanderbilt fans were crucial in key games such as Lawrence’s miraculous buzzer-beater against Tennessee and Manjon’s buzzer-beater against Auburn. Stackhouse expects a similar atmosphere at home games for the Commodores this season.

“Everywhere I go, whether it’s a grocery store or restaurant or whatnot, a lot of people are excited about filling this building,” Stackhouse said. “We’re looking forward to packing it in here. Everybody who told me, those who I meet on the streets, determined they can’t wait for the season. We should be sold out on opening night so it should be a lot of fun for us.”

Manjon followed up Stackhouse’s statements showing excitement about his final year in college basketball. He feels familiar in Stackhouse’s system and is ready to get to work. Manjon has been impressed with the way the players have come together and said that there is a strong team comradery.

“Everybody hangs out with everybody,” Manjon said. “With so many young guys, it’s just important to be a vocal leader but also lead by example and I think me and Tyrin are doing a great job with that.”

Manjon’s teammate Smith also addressed the media on Tuesday. Smith talked about the excitement he felt when hearing the news that Lawrence would come back for his senior season at Vanderbilt and touched on what he worked on in the offseason. This offseason, Smith gained 20 pounds of muscle and was disciplined in his routine when he was home.

“Last year, I was a freshman and had a lot of veteran guys so the role was kind of limited,” Smith said. “This year, I feel like I’m going to have a little bigger role with the ball in my hands a little bit more.”

The Commodores will look to get their season off on the right foot when they play Presbyterian next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. CST at Memorial Gymnasium.

Clark Lea on Football

Clark Lea addressed the media for the first time since the team’s 33-7 loss to Ole Miss in his weekly Tuesday press conference. Lea noted that the team’s performance was especially disappointing with the extra bye week to prepare, but the locker room remains united and focused on next week’s matchup with Auburn. 

“It’s hard for everybody,” Lea said. “My challenge to the coaches and to the team is to stay connected to an identity and purpose behind what we do. I do believe that these times of adversity are also times of growth, and sometimes that means you need to change and evolve. That’s what we’re going through right now. “ 

With Vanderbilt trailing 26-0 in the second quarter, Lea turned the offense over to third-string quarterback Walter Taylor. However, Lea explained that the decision was not a reflection of Ken Seals’ performance. 

“As we got into the 2nd quarter and it felt like we were struggling to do something offensively, that’s where the decision went to go with Walt.” Lea explained, “ It wasn’t about Ken’s performance. It was about injecting some energy into the offense to help us find some rhythm. I believe Walt was able to do that, although we still didn’t complete the ball at the level we needed to.

Vanderbilt could be without two of its top wide receivers against Auburn, as Lea announced that Will Sheppard and Quincy Skinner are both day-to-day. Lea later elaborated on Sheppard,  Vanderbilt’s leader in receiving yards and touchdowns

“It’s upper body.” Lea told the media, “There’s nothing long-term there, just some discomfort but there is a possibility that it impedes his ability to play. We’re just keeping an eye on him.” 

Vanderbilt football will play its final home game this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CST against the Auburn Tigers. 

Injury Updates:

Trudell Berry — Questionable

Will Sheppard — Questionable

Quincy Skinner — Questionable

AJ Swann — Questionable

CJ Taylor — Questionable