After Vanderbilt’s solid, hard-fought win against Texas, the Commodores welcomed No. 1 Auburn into town with confidence but failed to come out with the win. Despite a strong effort — and the season debut of their gold jerseys — they fell short in the end. With the season still going strong, Vanderbilt will look to bounce back in its next game, facing off against No. 5 Tennessee in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
Vanderbilt’s 17-7 (5-6) record is a considerable achievement compared to last year’s less-than-impressive season that saw it finish 9-23 (4-14). This improved performance shows just how far the team has come, but it still has work to do.
Jason Edwards has been a standout offensive force this season, averaging 17.4 points per game. However, his usually undeterrable ability was off against Auburn and he wasn’t as much of a force from downtown, shooting just 1-of-5 from 3-point range. On the flip side, Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey stepped up their game, playing up to Johni Broome and a tall Auburn team.
Breaking down the Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers, led by head coach Rick Barnes, have had an exceptional season with a 20-5 record. A significant part of their success can be credited to the leadership and all-around performance of star Zakai Zeigler. The guard averages 13 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, significantly impacting both sides of the court. His ability to contribute scoring on the glass and defensively has been a cornerstone of the team’s success. It has been his playmaking — 7.5 assists per game — that has made the difference for Tennessee, though.
But Zeigler isn’t the only one carrying the load. Another offensive star, Chaz Lanier, is averaging 17.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and 1 assist per game. His scoring ability and 40.2% shooting from 3-point range have made him a crucial part of the Volunteers’ offense.
Igor Milicic Jr. has been a standout in the frontcourt, contributing 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. His versatility and size at 6’9, combined with his ability to stretch the floor, gives Tennessee a significant offensive and defensive advantage.
The Volunteers are shooting 45.1% from the field, 75.1% from the free-throw line and 33.8% from beyond the arc, showcasing a well-rounded offensive attack. The team’s depth is another major strength, with contributors like J.P. Estrella and Darlinstone Dubar adding valuable minutes. This balanced approach makes Tennessee one of the best teams in the country and subsequently a formidable foe.
How to beat the Volunteers
Vanderbilt’s season has been solid but not quite where it needs to be to take down Tennessee again, especially on the road. One area that must be re-addressed is its aggressiveness on the boards. While the Commodores have a respectable average of 35.1 rebounds per game, there’s clear potential to grab more. With Tennessee averaging 38.2 rebounds, it will be a tough battle on the glass for the ‘Dores. If players beyond Carey and McGlockton can step up and start boxing out their defenders more effectively, this could be a battle that the Commodores come out on top of. Carey and McGlockton will have their hands full with Milicic and Felix Okpara in the paint, and they’ll need their fellow point guards to step up.
On the offensive side, Vanderbilt can take things to the next level by improving on the fast breaks. With an average of 9.4 steals per game, the Commodores have an excellent opportunity to capitalize on turnovers.
2 key areas for improvement are leading passes and spreading the court. Starting with leading passes, Vanderbilt has occasionally struggled with getting them just right — often, they’re too wide or too far ahead. By fine-tuning these, easy points are within reach and could make the difference in a close game. As for spreading the court, Vanderbilt often tends to crowd the middle during fast breaks, which allows defenders to stay on top of multiple players. If players spread out and maintain proper spacing — staying at least two passing lanes apart — it will force the defender to make a difficult choice: either collapse on the ball handler or leave an open teammate for an easy layup. This small adjustment could lead to more efficient, high-percentage scoring opportunities in transition from both outside and inside the 3-point line.
Avoiding unnecessary fouls, which were very apparent in the Texas game (20 fouls led to 19 free throws), will be crucial in this matchup. With Tennessee shooting 74.9% from the free-throw line — ranking fifth in the SEC — giving them points at the charity stripe could be a game-changer. By staying disciplined and executing solid, fundamental defense, Vanderbilt can prevent Tennessee from capitalizing on free throws and limit its offensive efficiency.
The Vanderbilt Commodores are set to take on the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers at 12 p.m. CST on Feb. 15 at the Thompson-Boling Arena, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
