Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball is back in the Big Dance for the second year in a row, and this time with loftier expectations. Head coach Shea Ralph and Co., after posting a 22-10 (8-8 SEC) record, captured the No. 7 seed in Region 2 of the NCAA Tournament. They will face No. 10 Oregon in Durham, North Carolina, on March 21 at 4:30 p.m. CDT with a spot in the Round of 32 on the line. 

The 2024-25 season has been full of history — from Mikayla Blakes’ record-breaking performances to the season sweep of Tennessee — but the ‘Dores aren’t done yet. The Hustler’s sports staff took a long look at what to expect from the Round of 64.

What do you expect from Mikayla Blakes in her first-ever postseason?

Aiden Rutman, Sports Editor: This is it: the Big Dance. Most players might be intimidated by the bright lights of the postseason, but if we’re being honest, there’s no way Blakes is one of them. The first-year has shined time and time again in the biggest moments this season. From 50-point bombs to game-winners, the New Jersey native has proved she has what it takes to succeed on the nation’s biggest stage. Other Commodores need to step up in this game for Vanderbilt to win, but let’s not kid ourselves — it’s all about Blakes. Expect a 30-point game (or two) from her this March. 

Ashleigh Provoost, Sports Copy Editor: The New Jersey native is built for greatness — and, in turn, built for the tournament. I don’t expect many first-year jitters, as her many accolades prove her experience and stone-cold mentality. This season has been the Blakes Show, and I don’t expect that to change in the postseason. I do, however, think that it can’t be all about Blakes — the first-year is going to need her partners-in-crime in Khamil Pierre and Iyana Moore if the Commodores want to make it past the Round of 64.

Outside of Blakes and Pierre, who needs to step up the most for Vanderbilt to make a run?

Grace Hall, Deputy Sports Editor: I will look for Moore to step up, specifically in the scoring category. Vanderbilt needs a true tertiary producer on offense to win tournament games, and Moore is the most likely contender. The good news is that after going cold through the majority of February, Moore’s scoring seems to be trending upward. In her last three games, the senior guard has scored 18, 23 and 16 points — her first three consecutive games with 10 or more points since Jan. 23. Every team has a good scout on Blakes and Pierre; it’s time for Moore to be a difference maker.

Alex Cheng, Staff Writer: Jordyn Oliver was a pivotal part of the Commodores’ effort last season, averaging 5.3 points, 4.9 boards and 2.9 assists. She increased her scoring productivity to seven points per night in two postseason games last year; however, it has dipped this season. With just 3.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game so far in 2024-25, Oliver is capable of more. Opponents are planning for Pierre and Blakes. If Vanderbilt wants to make a deep run, Oliver, who has been dancing for four consecutive years now, will need to make her most significant impact yet.

Who on Oregon should the Commodores be looking out for in the Round of 64?

Rhea Patney, Managing Editor: Starting guard Deja Kelly has been a pivotal piece for Oregon this season. The transfer from UNC leads the team in scoring and assists per game, averaging 11.6 and 3.4, respectively. She was a three-time All-ACC First Team selection from 2022 to 2024 and an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection this year. She led the Tar Heels to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances during her time in Chapel Hill, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2022. Vanderbilt will have to contend with Kelly’s extensive tournament experience, basketball IQ and impressive ball-handling and shot creation. 

Rutman: Nobody poses a bigger threat than starting center Phillipina Kyei. She checks in at a whopping 6’8, making her nearly half a foot taller than any player on Vanderbilt’s roster. Her averages of 7.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game might not stand out, but the senior is a serious difference-maker for the Ducks. She’s an old-school big who lives and dies by the paint — she has never made a 3-pointer in four collegiate years — and will cause some serious matchup issues for the always-undersized Vanderbilt down low.

What’s one stat to know going into the Round of 64?

Jayce Pollard, Non-Revenue Sports Specialist: 6.9 rebounds per game — that’s the output of Kyei. Expect the Commodores to struggle with her all game as they have against other teams and players of similar size. It’ll likely be 6’2 Khamil Pierre guarding her for most of the evening unless Ralph opts to go big and start Aiyana Mitchell. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more the coaching staff should really consider starting Mitchell or playing her increased minutes to deal with that size. Regardless, it’ll be an issue, but there are ways to mitigate its effects. 

Connor Campbell, Senior Staffer: 72 possessions per 40 minutes, that’s Vanderbilt’s tempo rating and the fourth-fastest pace of play in the SEC — a notoriously fast conference which features the fastest (Oklahoma) and second-fastest (Tennessee) teams in the nation. Oregon, on the other hand, has an adjusted tempo of 67.8, good for fifth-lowest in the 18-team Big Ten. When it comes to March, I love the fast teams. They put the pressure on, ride momentum and overwhelm opponents into mistakes. They’re also much more prone to falling apart themselves by speeding up unnecessarily, committing loads of turnovers and missing shots. 

There are three situations that can arise against Oregon: Vanderbilt could make Oregon uncomfortable by speeding the game up, Oregon could slow down the pace and force Vanderbilt into a rare low-possession game or Oregon could go on a run which combusts an inexperienced Vanderbilt team into sloppy play — like the Commodores’ early season game against Michigan State. Either way, the tempo on Friday will be interesting to watch.

What’s one adjustment Ralph needs to make? 

Patney: I would love to see Ralph give Justine Pissott more minutes, especially if the team is having an off-night shooting the basketball. She has shot 38.3% from 3-point range this year, and giving Pissott a few possessions to see if she catches fire could change a game. It happened versus Texas A&M, where she went 4-for-4 from deep, and it could happen again in the Big Dance. Pissott can struggle on defense, and obviously Ralph should take her out if she is not shooting well, but it doesn’t hurt to try if Vanderbilt is in a slump. 

Campbell: While I agree with Rhea on seeing some Pissott minutes — she’s really impressed in her limited time this season — I think Ralph actually needs to shrink the bench. This season, there have been lulls in games when second-unit players enter. Matchups against Dayton and Mississippi State, when big first-quarter leads dwindled by halftime, cannot happen in the NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt benefits its great bench — from Madison Greene to Leilani Kapinus to Mitchell — but when it comes to the postseason, you have to let the starters ride. I don’t expect to see the front five play all 40 minutes, but I also don’t think it’s smart to make massive platoon substitutions that can lead to miscommunications on both ends of the floor. And please, for the love of God, have either Pierre or Blakes on the floor at all times. There’s no reason both of those two should be sitting on the bench together unless they’ve both fouled out. 

Score prediction for Round of 64?

Pollard: Vanderbilt 72, Oregon 67. I’m not going out on a limb here by saying this will be a close game — ESPN Bet currently has the line at 5.5 points in favor of the Black and Gold. Based on the Commodores’ and the Ducks’ conference performances, I’d also wager that a score in the 60s or 70s — not too low or high scoring — is probably correct. Oregon does have more size than Vanderbilt (so do most teams) and the Black and Gold have struggled against size all season, so maybe I’m a bit bullish on the Commodores’ scoring output. That said, expect a tight game that anyone could win. A blowout would be the surprise to me.

Provoost: Vanderbilt 80, Oregon 70. Both teams will come to play — the Commodores and the Ducks each have multiple wins against ranked opponents this season — but I think the ‘Dores will take this one. Their offensive production (83.6 points per game) ranks seventh in Division I, whereas the Ducks sit at 112th with 68.2 points per game. Oregon’s defense (137th, 62.9 allowed points per game) will have a hard time stopping Ralph and Co. if they’re on a roll. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s No. 9 rank in steals per game (12.4) coupled with Oregon’s low rate of turnovers per game (13.3, 42nd in the nation) will make for a close defensive matchup, but I think the offensive duo of Blakes and Pierre will win out.