Vanderbilt sports are certainly on the upswing, particularly basketball. Not only does the men’s team look like a March Madness contender, but the women’s team is also in the mix. Could both teams make it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012?
The men’s basketball team is looking like a serious contender. With upsets over Kentucky and Tennessee, they are firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture. Vanderbilt currently holds a 16-4 record, placing them seventh in the SEC. They are projected to earn a ninth seed, which could set up an intriguing matchup.
If they win, they’d likely face a No. 1 seed in the next round—potentially a rematch with Tennessee. Vanderbilt is led by junior guard Jason Edwards, who tops the team with 17.3 points per game. They also boast a strong interior presence with Devin McGlockton, who dominates the glass with an average of 8.1 rebounds per game. With key wins over quality opponents, they certainly have the talent to make a deep run in March. Currently ranked 24th in the AP Poll, it marks their first appearance in the rankings since 2015.
It’s not just the men’s team at Vanderbilt with a chance to make March Madness—the women’s team is also having an impressive season. The 23rd-ranked Commodores are 17-4 on the year and currently sit in fifth place in the SEC.
Vanderbilt is led by sophomore forward Khamil Pierre, who is averaging 21.7 points per game. She’s also pulling down 10.3 rebounds per game, impressively recording a double-double. Beyond her scoring and rebounding, Pierre makes an impact on the defensive end, averaging 3.2 steals per game.
Another player stepping up for the Commodores is freshman guard Mikayla Blakes, who is averaging 21 points per game and 2.3 steals per contest. This dynamic duo of Pierre and Blakes is tough to stop and has the potential to carry the Vanderbilt Commodores to great heights.
The men’s and women’s teams aren’t just aiming to make history by both reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012—they’re also looking to build on the history they’ve already made. As of this past Monday, both teams are ranked in the top 25, with the men coming in at 24th and the women at 23rd. This is the first time both teams have been ranked simultaneously since 2011. Times have clearly changed for Vanderbilt basketball, and it’s an exciting time to be a Commodore. However, with their success comes pressure to continue their strong seasons.
The women’s team has nine games left, including matchups against fifth-ranked Texas, second-ranked South Carolina, and 13th-ranked Oklahoma on the road. These crucial games will determine whether they can rise in the rankings or face a potential slide. As for the men, they’re about to face an absolute gauntlet. Before that, however, they’ll take on fifth-ranked Florida on the road.
Things get even more intense for the men. Six of their next seven games are against ranked opponents, all within the SEC, highlighting the strength of the conference this season. During this stretch, Vanderbilt will face Kentucky and Tennessee for the second time, both on the road. They’ll also host top-ranked Auburn. These upcoming games will be a defining moment for their season. Can both teams make history and reach March Madness?
The Vanderbilt basketball teams are certainly ones to watch as their seasons come down to the wire. They’ve already made history by being ranked together in the AP Top 25 for the first time in nearly 15 years. However, they don’t want that to be the only history they make this season. The question remains: can they survive the tough SEC conference?”
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