After shocking the college football world with a 40-35 victory over then-No.1 Alabama in October 2024, the Vanderbilt Commodores have set their sights on replicating that success on the basketball court. The Black and Gold already pulled off a significant upset against No. 6 Tennessee last weekend; now, they’ll look to pull off a second-straight upset and beat Alabama once again.
Under first-year head coach Mark Byington, Vanderbilt has experienced a significant turnaround, already surpassing last season’s win total of just nine games. The Commodores’ offense has been particularly potent, averaging 82.1 points per game, which ranks 37th nationally.
Guard Jason Edwards leads the team with 17.1 points per game, showcasing his ability to drive to the basket and create scoring opportunities with his explosivity. Devin McGlockton has been a force on the glass, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game, contributing to the team’s improved rebounding efforts. But Byington’s squad is deeper than these key contributors, let’s look through factors that will make or break their matchup against Alabama
High-octane but flawed: Alabama’s offensive and defensive balance
The Crimson Tide, led by head coach Nate Oats, boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, averaging 90.2 points per game, the highest in Division I. Guard Mark Sears spearheads the team’s scoring efforts with 18.9 points per game, while forward Grant Nelson adds 8.7 rebounds per game, anchoring Alabama’s interior presence. The team excels in 3-point shooting, with Latrell Wrightsell Jr. leading all players with a 44.7% conversion rate from beyond the arc.
Aside from its high-scoring offense and rebounding dominance. Alabama’s up-tempo style and efficient shooting, especially from 3-point range (the team averages 10.2 made per game), can quickly change the complexion of any game. The Crimson Tide averages 44.8 rebounds per game, ranking second nationally. This prowess on the boards often leads to additional scoring opportunities while limiting opponents’ second-chance points on the other end.
However, Alabama has struggled with ball security, committing a season-high 21 turnovers in its recent loss to Ole Miss. Even in its win against Kentucky, it turned the ball over 10 times. Additionally, the Crimson Tide’s aggressive defense sometimes leads to excessive fouling, providing opponents with ample free-throw opportunities. The team allows 21.9 free throw attempts per game, which ranks dead last in the SEC.
Injury update
First-year forward Derrion Reid, who averages 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, has missed Alabama’s last two games due to a lower-body injury. As of Jan. 20, Oats listed Reid as questionable for the matchup against Vanderbilt,
“He’s doing more and more every day,” Oats said. “He’s still not doing everything in practice. So, he’ll probably be questionable. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow.”
Aside from Reid, Wrightsell Jr. remains out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury, while his replacement, guard Houston Mallette, has been dealing with knee issues and missed the game against Ole Miss on Jan. 14. It remains to be seen if he will make his return to the court on Tuesday.
Vanderbilt got Grant Huffman back from a one-game absence in its last game against Tennessee and — outside of Alex Hemenway’s long-term injury — looks to be healthy for its clash with Alabama.
Keys to victory
To secure an upset on the road, Vanderbilt will need to capitalize on Alabama’s turnover issues — 12.9 turnovers per game rank 14th in the SEC — by applying consistent defensive pressure. This pressure will force mistakes and help the Commodores get transition points.
Slowing down the game on defense can disrupt Alabama’s offensive rhythm. By managing the shot clock effectively and limiting the Crimson Tide’s fast-break opportunities, the Commodores can prevent Sears and Co. from finding their groove.
Facing one of the nation’s top rebounding teams, Vanderbilt must be diligent in boxing out and securing defensive rebounds to limit Alabama’s second-chance points. Avoiding unnecessary fouls will also be crucial. Vanderbilt can prevent Alabama from getting easy points at the free throw line by playing solid, fundamental defense.
This matchup presents a significant opportunity for Vanderbilt to solidify its standing in the SEC and potentially earn a spot in the national rankings. The Commodores earned 35 votes in the most recent AP Top 25 Poll, unofficially putting them at No. 28 nationally. Another top-10 win would more than likely get them ranked. By focusing on their game plan and exploiting Alabama’s weaknesses, the Commodores can position themselves for a statement victory. If they pull off another upset, it would mark a remarkable sweep over Alabama in football and men’s basketball within the same academic year.
The Vanderbilt Commodores are poised to face the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. CST at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.