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2008 Vanderbilt Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 17, 2008 by Luke Knight

Coach Kevin Stallings may finally have the Vanderbilt Commodores built for long-term success. Last season, the Commodores were 26-8 overall and 10-6 in the SEC. The Dores have plenty of young talent and is a team on the move. Vanderbilt has been to the post-season each of the last 5 seasons, including three NCAA appearances, two of which ended in the Sweet 16. Last season, the Commodores were knocked off in the first round by Siena. The last two seasons Vanderbilt has won 10 games in the SEC. The Commodores brought in what may be their best recruiting class ever, but this will be one of the nation’s youngest rosters with no seniors and only one junior who averaged more than 10 minutes per game last season. With such a young team, BetUS has the Commodores at +1000 odds to win the SEC East, which means they are a great team to keep an eye on the college basketball odds for all season.

A.J. Ogilvy, the 6’11” center from Australia, arrived with enormous hype and may have been better than advertise as he averaged 17.0 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the filed. Ogilvy isn’t a fast-twitch player, but can score with either hand around the basket and can knock down jumpers out to 18-feet. He slowed against SEC competition, averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, but he should handle the rigors of league play much better as a sophomore. Sophomore Darshawn McClellan, an excellent defender and solid rebounder, and incoming freshman Steve Tchiengang are two of the three men that will battle to start beside Ogilvy, and the most conventional. Tchiengang is a hard-nosed power forward with 3-point range. The Commodores also could elect to go really big and start 6’11” center Festus Ezeli, a redshirt freshman who may eventually emerge as the best pro prospect on the roster. Ezeli is a native of Nigeria and didn’t begin playing organized basketball until after high school.

Junior Jermaine Beal will be Vanderbilt’s starting point guard and leader in the backcourt, but after that the Commodores will be lacking in true guards. Incoming freshman Brad Tinsley is a point guard who can play off the ball because of his 6’3” 180-pound frame and is a heavy favorite to start right away at shooting guard. George Drake, a 4th year junior, could be a factor and compete for minutes also. On the wing, Stallings can look to sophomore Andre Walker who showed flashes of outstanding play on both ends during an inconsistent first year. The Commodores also have a pair of highly touted freshman in Jeff Taylor and Lance Goulbourne. Both are 6’7” and are known for their athleticism. Taylor is considered to be the most talented of the true freshman and should see major minutes immediately. Walker, Taylor, and Goulbourne all have the ability to play multiple positions. Walker put in time at the 4 last year and also guarded opposing shooting guards. Vanderbilt also has defensive specialist Jamie Graham, who is a scholarship football player but forced his way into the rotation with hustle and an aggressive attitude after joining the team in December.

Final Analysis

This team has no seniors, and Stallings’ best teams have been senior-laden, but there is plenty of talent on this team highlighted by A.J. Ogilvy, who is an All-America-caliber center. Plus the freshman class offers versatility and athleticism. The Commodores could very well make a run at the NCAA Tournament, and with the success Stallings has enjoyed, we wouldn’t count it out, but we have them finishing in the middle of the SEC East. Don’t be surprised if the Commodores are still in the hunt for a bid into the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday, but to be safe we’ve got them making their 6th straight post season with an NIT berth. Head over to BetUS where the Commodores are +10000 odds to win the NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on this team, because low expectations means they will be a great value for college basketball betting all season long.

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