It seems like the college basketball season just started and yet already the Commodores are heading into conference play for the remainder of the season.
They finish the non-conference slate 11-3, which is a solid start.
Vanderbilt hasn't exactly played the most challenging non-conference schedule, but they definitely played some formidable opponents. Two of the three losses came on a neutral site with the other loss coming on the road to Illinois.
There has really only be one disappointing loss to start the season and that's to Western Kentucky at the Sun Belt Classic. The Hilltoppers have my respect, but Vanderbilt is the better team and should've won that game.
Vanderbilt has notched three very impressive wins in my book. Those wins are against St. Mary's, Missouri, and Arizona. All three of those teams have a pretty good chance at making the NCAA tournament, with Arizona maybe being a long shot.
Don't be surprised to see Vanderbilt leap frog Tennessee for second place this year in the SEC East. Obviously Kentucky is the best team in the SEC and it will be hard for anyone in the country to stop the Wildcats, as we've already witnessed so far this season.
Vanderbilt starts the SEC schedule off against a Florida team that has had a roller coaster of a season so far. The Gators started off hot before dropping three in a row, with two of those being against South Alabama and Richmond.
My early season award for best player is freshman John Jenkins. He's shooting 47% from behind the arc and is fourth on the team in scoring with limited minutes.
On the flip side, my disappointment so far this season is sophomore Brad Tinsley. He's only shooting 32% from the field and has only three games where he has scored in double figures. The Commodores need more production from him if they want to make another trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
The record looks good, but the Commodores have looked sloppy at times. Even in the games they have eventually blown out their less talented opponents they have looked very sloppy. However, the SEC isn't the strongest conference in basketball so there will be plenty of opportunities to make a run towards March Madness.
Big Wins: St. Mary's (road), Missouri (home)
Disappointing Losses: Western Kentucky (neutral)
Final Grade: B-
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