Following an unexpected start to SEC conference play, Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball has emerged as a legitimate contender in the most competitive league in college basketball. After securing two statement victories at home against formerly No. 6 Tennessee and No. 9 Kentucky, the Commodores find themselves at 16-6 (4-5), firmly in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament bid. However, recent setbacks against Alabama and Oklahoma have raised significant questions about Vanderbilt’s inconsistencies — particularly on the defensive end of the floor.

Head coach Mark Byington’s squad opened the season with an impressive 12-1 record in nonconference play, largely built on the strength of a disciplined defense. During that stretch, Vanderbilt allowed just 65.2 points per game, ranking in the top 10% of all Division I teams. But since the start of SEC play, its defensive efficiency has plummeted. The Commodores are now surrendering 79.9 points per game — making them the second-worst defensive team in the conference, trailing only Alabama. While their up-tempo, team-oriented offense has kept them competitive, glaring weaknesses in their defensive execution threaten to deter their momentum.

Throughout the 2024-25 season, Vanderbilt has primarily relied on a man-to-man defensive scheme, with Byington occasionally incorporating zone formations and both half and full-court presses. While this flexibility has led to moments of success, it has also exposed several critical flaws. The Commodores have struggled to secure rebounds, frequently find themselves out of position due to over-aggressiveness and have shown an inability to effectively navigate screens. Their failure to consistently close out on perimeter shooters has become a recurring and costly issue.

As Vanderbilt looks to solidify its March Madness resume, addressing these shortcomings will be crucial. With the SEC schedule only growing more challenging —- six ranked opponents in their next nine games — the Commodores must find a way to regain their early-season defensive form.

Too small?

One of the primary concerns surrounding the Commodores entering this season was their lack of size. Their tallest rotation players, Jaylen Carey (6’8) and Devin McGlockton (6’7), are often tasked with playing the role of a traditional big man despite lacking in size compared to other conference centers. Despite their best efforts, Vanderbilt has struggled on the boards, being out-rebounded by an average of 4.1 defensive rebounds per game throughout conference play — an issue that has led to opponents garnering crucial extra possessions.

In addition, the Commodores have had difficulty defending some of the SEC’s elite big men. Their reliance on man-to-man defense has often left them exposed in the low post, where they have been overpowered both on the glass and in one-on-one matchups. The size disadvantage has also forced Vanderbilt to deploy smaller guards and wing players against much taller opponents, frequently leading to defensive breakdowns and excessive fouling. As a result, the Commodores are surrendering over 23 free throw attempts per game, placing them among the 30 worst Division I teams in that category.

A closer look at the film further highlights how Vanderbilt’s undersized lineup has been exploited throughout the season.

Screened out

While Vanderbilt’s interior defense has been inconsistent, its struggles on the perimeter have been even more concerning. There is some hope, however, as first-year breakout star Tyler Tanner has consistently disrupted opposing guards. Wings Chris Manon and MJ Collins Jr. have had bright moments, but the former struggles to stay out of foul trouble and the latter is inconsistent. Yet, Vanderbilt’s other key guards, Jason Edwards and A.J. Hoggard, have struggled to defend on the wings and the top of the key.

Edwards lacks strength and Hoggard lacks explosivity, making both of them vulnerable in man-to-man matchups. SEC opponents have exploited this, particularly by using high off-ball screens around the 3-point arc to create open looks. These defensive lapses have led to a barrage of uncontested triples and open driving lanes. As a result, the Commodores have allowed conference foes to shoot over 50.5% from the field, the second-worst opponent field goal percentage among all Division I schools.

The clips below illustrate Vanderbilt’s struggles to navigate around screens.

No contest

It’s not just that Vanderbilt’s opponents are shooting well against it — it’s how effectively they’re doing so from downtown. As a whole, the Commodores’ opponents are shooting a staggering 36.6% from deep, the worst mark in the SEC by a significant margin. This isn’t simply bad luck; Byington’s defensive scheme prioritizes rotating players into help positions, particularly near the paint, where Vanderbilt is undersized, often leaving shooters wide open on the perimeter. 

Compounding this issue, the Commodores are frequently late, if they rotate at all, to close out on shooters. Throughout the season, Vanderbilt’s opponents have consistently been able to launch uncontested 3-pointers. This was especially evident in the team’s most recent blowout loss at Oklahoma, when the Sooners torched them from deep, shooting 55%, including a devastating 23-0 run at the start of the second half that featured six uncontested threes.

The defensive lapses on display in Norman, along with other game footage, highlight Vanderbilt’s persistent struggles in defending on the perimeter.

Pressing matters

If the Commodores’ defense has excelled in one area this season, it’s been forcing turnovers. They lead the conference in takeaways, averaging 15.9 per game. A significant portion of these comes from their exceptional ability to generate steals, with Tanner’s relentless defensive play placing him third in the SEC at 2.1 steals per game. His teammate, Manon, isn’t far behind, averaging 1.6.

This defensive tandem has been especially dominant in press situations, where their intensity disrupts opposing ball handlers and forces them into costly mistakes. Alongside the efforts of guards Grant Huffman and Collins Jr., the Commodores have been particularly effective in high-pressure scenarios — applying aggressive on-ball defense and springing traps at half-court.

The more pressure the Commodores apply on the perimeter, the more unsettled their opponents become and the better their defense performs.

Keeping in mind these elements of Vanderbilt’s defense, Byington’s squad has much to improve upon going into the second half of the SEC season. However, as long as their offensive production continues and the effort on defense steps up, the Commodores still have a very real shot at making the big dance. 

Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball will look to bounce back from its two-game slide against the Texas Longhorns at home in Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. CST.