Checking Out the Vanderbilt Commodores

They've got a Machine Gun or two, scoring is Easy, and their defense is a Brick House. That's right, it's the Commodores.

Back in October, I tagged Vanderbilt as the #2 team in the SEC behind Tennessee. Even I will concede that it sounded like a reach, what with Kentucky and Florida in the conference, and Derrick Byars moving on to the NBA. But looking back, I feel dumber about putting the Vols on top than I do putting Vandy #2. They currently sit on a sterling 9-0 record, having beat decent teams such as Bradley, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Valpo.

My prediction of success for the Commodores was predicated in large part on the fact that they had suffered less turmoil than the rest of the SEC elite, and that they had experience returning. Kevin Stallings (a dead ringer for the Providence Friar) is still helming the ship with a steady hand, and senior wing players Shan Foster (20.4 ppg, 54% from three) and Alex Gordon (10 ppg, 3.7 apg) are carrying out the game plan to perfection.

The surprise element has been 6'10", 250-lb. Australian Andrew Ogilvy. A graduate of the elite Australian Institute of Sport, Ogilvy was expected to be good in his freshman campaign, but I don't think anyone saw this coming. The big man is averaging 19.6 ppg and snatching nearly 7 boards per contest. In addition, he's good for a block or two per game on the defensive end, along with countless altered shots. He hasn't fouled out once this season. He's been so good that Vandy has been able to survive without two other big men, senior Davis Nwankwo (heart condition) and freshman Festus Ezeli (redshirt).

Vanderbilt has made back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16, and yet many still sleep on their potential year after year. The program has often suffered under the weight of the school's rigorous academic requirements, but many forget that Stallings comes from the Roy Williams coaching tree, and Williams has always found a way to recruit brains and talent, a skill that Stallings has obviously mastered as well.

The Commodores are in Chicago to play DePaul on Wednesday (ESPN Classic, 8:30pm), they they stay home until a road date at Kentucky exactly one month later. They could very well still be undefeated going into that game, which will be nationally televised by CBS.

Chart a course for adventure, Commodore faithful. We'll see you in the Sweet 16. Again.