Coming off an electric 98-88 overtime win at Auburn, the Vanderbilt Commodores are feeling the momentum. In this contest, first-year superstar Mikayla Blakes set the NCAA Division I freshman scoring record. She had a 55-point performance, breaking her previous record of 53 points, which was set earlier in the season against Florida. Behind Blakes, the Commodores are eager to secure another SEC win as they head to Norman to take on the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners. Tipoff is set for Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. CST on SEC Network+.
Pressure in the paint
The 19-7 (6-6 in the SEC) Commodores are likely riding high going into this game after their impressive win, but it is impossible to ignore the talent on the 19-6 (7-5 in the SEC) Sooners roster. Both teams have dangerous centers that are capable of dominating this game.
For Vanderbilt, Khamil Pierre shines bright. A 6’2 sophomore out of Phoenix, Arizona, Pierre averages 21.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. She has proven herself a threat throughout the season, especially during her 42-point performance against Evansville on Dec. 14. In the last couple of months, she has not let up. Against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns, Pierre dropped 26 points and made it look easy. The Commodores hope that Pierre continues to perform to help them punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. While Pierre has slowed down a bit during conference play — occasionally undersized against the true “fives” of the SEC — her presence down low cannot be ignored.
Switching sides to Oklahoma, it’s all about Raegan Beers. Although she is 6’4, height is not her only asset. Beers leads the Sooners squad by contributing 16.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest. This season, Beers has had six games when she has scored over 20 points, with her high coming in the form of 28 points against Omaha back in December. In November, she impressively put up 26 points against the then-No.13 Duke Blue Devils. As Oklahoma’s starting center and leading scorer, Beers will have to rise to the occasion and dominate Pierre in the paint.
Other keys
It is no secret that Blakes and Beers are stars on the court. That being said, both the Commodores and Sooners have other players that are worth taking note of. For Vanderbilt, Blakes and Pierre lead the squad, but senior Iyana Moore is not far behind. Averaging 12.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, her presence is strongly felt on the offensive and defensive ends. She also averages 2.5 assists a game, the second most on the team behind Blakes’ 3.1.
Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams cannot be overlooked for the red and white. A 6’1 guard, Verhulst leads the team in assists, racking up an average of 3.8. She is also the second-leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15 points and 5.8 boards. Williams is also a major contributor to the offense, adding 10.6 points, 2.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Both Vanderbilt and Oklahoma have a breadth of players that can, when needed, step up to the plate and deliver. Both teams boast just three scorers above 10 points per game. Which big three will come out victorious?
The reality of momentum
Vanderbilt’s win over Auburn broke its prior SEC losing streak — before the win, the Commodores experienced three straight losses against Ole Miss, Texas and Mississippi State — the third of which came in double overtime.
On the contrary, the Sooners have had some more success in the SEC recently. Going into this game, Oklahoma is coming off wins against Ole Miss, Auburn and Missouri.
When comparing Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, it is interesting to look at how they performed against the same opponents. The Commodores have suffered two losses to Ole Miss this season, one on Jan. 9 and the other on Feb. 2. Both of those losses came by double digits, as Ole Miss controlled the game. The Sooners have only faced off against the Rebels once this season, but Oklahoma was able to secure a 66-56 win. Although Oklahoma handled this particular matchup better, it is impossible to discount the talent of Vanderbilt’s squad, especially Blakes. It’s all about momentum and getting hot at the right time; both of these squads have the personnel to do so.
The teams will face off at 6 p.m. CST on Feb. 20 in the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
