Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball has earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. The Commodores have much to be proud of, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with a 20-12 overall record and an 8-10 mark in a highly competitive SEC that sent a record-breaking 14 teams to the postseason. However, after losing its last three games, most recently to Texas in the SEC Tournament, 10th-seeded Vanderbilt will look to get back on track as it faces the 7th-seeded Saint Mary’s Gaels of the West Coast Conference in the Round of 64.
AP No. 20 Saint Mary’s is a formidable opponent, making its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the 11th under head coach Randy Bennett. The Gaels will be motivated for tournament success after a first-round upset last year by 12th-seeded Grand Canyon. This season, Saint Mary’s finished 17-1 in conference play, clinching its conference’s regular-season title, but fell short against Gonzaga in the WCC championship.
The Gaels pose a serious challenge for Vanderbilt. Bennett’s squad is known for playing a physical brand of basketball, which contrasts with the Commodores’ fast-paced, small-ball style. Saint Mary’s ranks as the fifth-best defensive team in Division I and is also among the top-20 rebounding squads in the nation, thanks to a sizable lineup led by Mitchell Saxen. Offensively, the Gaels are driven by star Augustas Marciulionis, who runs a disciplined offense focused on ball movement and spacing.
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington leads a team with less tournament experience than its opponent. Additionally, this is the Commodores’ first postseason with their current core, as all of their rotation players are new to the program. Despite this, the Commodores have proven themselves capable with five wins over ranked teams this year, while the Gaels have yet to play a single ranked team. Vanderbilt’s success has come when it has run a high-octane system on both sides of the ball, creating excellent spacing and open shooting while forcing turnovers that lead to fast-break opportunities.
To counter Saint Mary’s disciplined and physical style, Vanderbilt must find ways to play to its strengths. This matchup will be a clash of contrasting tempos, and understanding how each team executes its game plan is key to predicting how this battle will unfold.
The tango
Like dancing the tango, the Gaels stay tightly connected to their opponents on defense. Saint Mary’s thrives on improvisation, operating as a cohesive unit to switch assignments, provide help and even shift into a zone when necessary. Holding opponents to just 60.7 points per game on 40.8% shooting, the Gaels have stifled shooters all season and will undoubtedly challenge Vanderbilt’s ability to find open looks.
The backbone of Saint Mary’s defense is its imposing interior duo: Paulius Murauskas and Saxen combine for 15.9 rebounds per game and anchor the paint with their shot-blocking presence. The undersized Commodores will face an uphill battle trying to penetrate the lane or compete on the boards against a Gaels frontcourt that allows the fewest offensive rebounds per game of any team in March Madness.
Here are some clips showcasing the true ferocity of Saint Mary’s defense and rebounding.
The salsa
Vibrant and energetic, Vanderbilt’s offense is defined by fast movement around the court. The Commodores push the tempo, averaging 61.8 shots per game — roughly 6 more than their opponents. When shooting efficiently, this pace allows Vanderbilt to overwhelm opposing defenses. However, inconsistency from the field has led to breakdowns and costly losses throughout the season; this needs to be prevented against the Gaels.
One of the keys to Vanderbilt’s offensive success is leading scorer and All-SEC Third Team guard Jason Edwards. The North Texas transfer is shooting a solid 43.4% from the field and 36% from downtown, often serving as the spark of the Commodores’ attack. However, Edwards has struggled in key moments, including a recent 0-for-12 performance in Vanderbilt’s loss to Arkansas, when he finished with just two points.
Vanderbilt’s wing players must also step up and capitalize on open looks to compensate for the Gaels’ elite interior defense. This is especially true for junior sharpshooter Tyler Nickel, who is hitting 40.6% of his 3-pointers. Nickel thrives when coming around off-ball screens, and his shooting directly correlates with team success, as the Commodores are 11-3 when he connects on three or more long balls.
The following film illustrates the tempo and shooting prowess Vanderbilt must demonstrate in the tournament.
The waltz
Saint Mary’s offense is old-school. The Gaels attempt just 20 3-pointers per game, the fewest of any NCAA Tournament team, preferring to feed their big men in the post. They play deliberately, running long, controlled possessions with minimal dribbling as they move the ball around the court, patiently waiting for a high-percentage shot. Their pass-and-cut scheme draws defenders away from the paint, creating open looks.
Marciulionis, the back-to-back WCC Player of the Year, is the focal point of Bennett’s offensive playcalling. A phenomenal passer, the Lithuanian patiently scans the floor for open teammates; whether it’s a lob to one of his bigs or a drive-and-kick to a perimeter shooter, there is a reason he ranks in the top 15 in Division I in assists per game at 6.1. He’s also a capable scorer, using his smooth handle to maneuver into the paint, where his soft touch allows him to finish over larger defenders.
The Gaels’ grinding offensive pace might not be the most exciting to watch, but the footage shows that vintage, methodical basketball can still thrive in the modern game.
The ballet
Vanderbilt’s defense, much like a ballet, is emotional and unpredictable; yet at its best, it can be remarkably graceful. The Commodores have struggled at times this season with contesting shooters and switching on screens. Fortunately for it, Saint Mary’s sluggish offensive scheme will allow Vanderbilt to settle in and focus on one-on-one matchups, where it has found the most success.
The Commodores will have the opportunity to do what they do best defensively: force turnovers. Their 14.1 takeaways per game rank among the top 20 in all of college basketball. The intensity of guards Chris Manon and Tyler Tanner, who each average 1.7 steals per game, will be crucial, especially if Byington opts to pressure the Gaels early. Additionally, Vanderbilt’s frontcourt, led by Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey, must play with high energy as they take on much taller opponents — an area where they have struggled this season.
The clips below highlight the defensive intensity Vanderbilt needs to bring against the Gaels.
If Vanderbilt can dictate the pace going into this matchup, hit its shots and hold its own on the boards, it will have a chance to pull off the upset and extend its season, dancing into the Round of 32. However, against a disciplined and physical Saint Mary’s squad, the Commodores must play one of their most complete games to date.
Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball will look to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 2012 against Saint Mary’s at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 21 at 2:15 p.m. CDT.
