🏀 Curious Case of Vanderbilt Basketball

ESPN

What to know: The Vanderbilt Commodores finished last season dead last in the SEC. It was a ugly season, one that many Vandy fans, and players, surely wanted to forget. Luckily for them, Vandy basketball has found some life this year. Not only are they alive, but they are pulling off some big-time wins.

Led by transfer PG Jason Edwards, averaging just under 18 points a game, Vandy has notched off two wins over ranked opponents in a row. On Saturday afternoon, Vandy welcomed (24) Ole Miss, defeating them 77-72. Yesterday, they took out (12) Texas A&M on the road, 86-84. That makes it four total wins over ranked opponents on the season, the other two coming over Kentucky and Tennessee.

They’ve also seen some really ugly losses, including a 21-point beat down on the road at Kentucky, and a 30-point loss to Oklahoma, who currently sits at 4-10 on the season in conference. They’ve seen their ups and downs, but on any given night you don’t really know what team you’re getting.

They take on one more ranked team this season, a matchup this Saturday at home against (14) Missouri. This really feels like a “prove it” type of game. They’ve shown the ability to play at a high level against some of the best programs in the country, but have also failed to show on other days.

What really impresses me is how they responded in the middle of February. They’ve played 5 ranked teams in a row, and Mizzou will make 6. After losing their first three, they bounced back and won two straight. This feels like a team that’s battle-tested. They play in the best conference in the country. A team I just don’t want to see in March. If you drop them in any other league, they’re a ranked program.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, let this team into March.

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