No. 13 Vanderbilt (10-0) returned from a 10-day hiatus with an 83-72 victory over Central Arkansas inside Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tyler Nickel led the charge, earning a season-high 30 points while connecting on eight 3-pointers. Despite the Commodores securing their 10th straight win, head coach Mark Byington said he was not satisfied with the team’s overall performance. Vanderbilt will look to sharpen its play as it prepares for an in-state showdown against Memphis (4-5) on Dec. 17.
Offensive collide
Vanderbilt enters the matchup averaging 95.4 points per game, the second-highest mark in college basketball behind Georgia. Byington’s squad scored at least 80 points in all 10 games, eclipsing 100 points four times. That production is fueled by the Commodores’ unselfish style of play, where players avoid isolation and instead emphasize an extra pass mentality.
Off-ball movement has been central to Vanderbilt’s offensive approach, with players routinely making selfless decisions with the basketball. The Commodores rank second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.06), as their identity is cultivated by ball movement and high-percentage shot selection. This high-powered attack sets the tone early, with the team averaging 48.5 first half points, an increase of more than 10 points from last season. Memphis must find a way to keep up with Vanderbilt’s offensive firepower as the Tigers look to avoid a second straight loss.
Sustaining a rhythm from beyond the arc is essential for keeping pace against Vanderbilt’s explosive offense. Just 26.4% of Memphis’ points this season have come from the perimeter, and the Tigers have knocked down only three triples in each of their last two contests. In Saturday’s loss to No. 11 Louisville, Memphis’ struggles from deep propelled its 20-point first-half deficit. Penny Hardaway’s group will look to improve its poor performance from behind the line to stay within reach of the high-scoring Commodores.
Battle of the guards
Vanderbilt point guard Tyler Tanner will look to bounce back in Memphis following a lackluster performance against Central Arkansas. The sophomore knocked down four of his 12 field goal attempts and connected on just one of his seven 3-point attempts. This came after Tanner’s best game of the season where he scored 26 points in Vanderbilt’s blowout win over SMU. Tanner’s 3-point percentage has increased to an effective 44.4%, an area he struggled in as a first-year (26.6%). The floor general’s 3-point success has added a new dimension to his game, forcing defenders to close out on him beyond the arc. That extra attention creates space for him to do what he does best: use his speed to attack the rim, finishing strong in the paint or finding the open teammate. Tanner is also known for his active presence on defense, where he averages 2.3 steals per game.
Tanner will likely be tasked with containing Memphis’ leading scorer, Dug McDaniel. As the only Tiger averaging at least 26 minutes per game, the point guard draws the most attention from opposing defenses. Listed at 5’11 to Tanner’s 6’0, their similar stature allows both guards to engage in a fast-paced, high-energy style of play. Like Tanner, McDaniel relies on his quickness and is most dangerous when driving to the hoop. These athletic guards will look to outplay one another, hoping to guide their respective teams to victory.
Depth on display
After losing standout guard Jason Edwards to the transfer portal, Vanderbilt’s offense has undergone drastic changes. Many players have stepped up to fill the offensive void left by Edwards. Byington shifted toward a more balanced approach rather than relying on a single star. This balance is demonstrated by the number of games where four or five players scored in double figures. Tanner, Nickel, Duke Miles and Devin McGlockton all average over 10 points, with Jalen Washington, Tyler Harris and AK Okereke contributing at least 8.5 points per game. Byington’s rotation features eight players capable of starting, allowing him to ride the hot hand without worrying about losing momentum when resting his starters.
Memphis is in a similar position, having lost star guard P.J. Haggerty to Kansas State after he led the Tigers to the NCAA tournament last season. Additionally, like Byington, Hardaway relies heavily on his bench depth. Especially with injuries to guards Julius Thedford and Curtis Givens III, Hardaway has been forced to turn to more inexperienced talent. The depth on both teams helps neutralize the advantage of going on a scoring run when the opposing team’s starters are on the bench. This compels Byington and Hardaway to create separation in other areas.
Vanderbilt will take on Memphis on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. CST at FedExForum.
