Vanderbilt

[YoDore]

Last night’s 83-77 loss at LSU was in many ways heartening for Vandy fans, but ultimately, they just couldn’t get over the hump. There were 13 lead changes and neither team ever led by more than six. Quarters one and two ended in a tie, and quarter three ended with LSU up by one. Vandy quickly grabbed a four-point lead to start the fourth quarter, but the trio of Flau’Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams, who combined for 68 of the Tigers’ 83 points, were just too much down the stretch.

Vandy had a legit chance to win the game, but a couple of untimely turnovers and a forced shot or two really hurt. For the first time all year, Mikayla Blakes looked like a freshman. In simplest terms, she seemed to get sped up and had some unforced mistakes. Sophomore Khamil Pierre, meanwhile, was superb with 28 points and 8 rebounds, and Iyana Moore hit 5 of 8 three-pointers and added 23 points. Blakes had 12.

It was a big bounce back from a horrendous performance at Ole Miss. Coach Ralph’s postgame comments:

 

[Geew1992]

I forget the players name but she's out for the year with a blood clot. I think the outcome would have been different if she was there

 

[packwrap]

Great game! Pierre very special. She is elusive and slippery, getting thru to the hoop even when well defended and doubled!

Vandy now facing a challenge. Can still get to 8 and 8 in SEC and make tourney.

These new big conference schedules are brutal.

 

[YoDore]

Great game! Pierre very special. She is elusive and slippery, getting thru to the hoop even when well defended and doubled!

Vandy now facing a challenge. Can still get to 8 and 8 in SEC and make tourney.

These new big conference schedules are brutal.

I've predicted 8-8 or maybe a fortunate 9-7 all along. I never expected to win at Ole Miss or LSU, but I certainly didn't expect to get run out of the gym in Oxford. This four-game stretch of Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee was always going to be tough. I did think we could have done much better at home vs. Kentucky, but they shot lights out (made 15 threes), and way too many of them were wide open.

There are still trips to Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama coming up and South Carolina at home, so things don't get a lot easier. Mixed in that gauntlet are some more winnable games, though, and those will determine our ultimate fate.

 

[YoDore]

I forget the players name but she's out for the year with a blood clot. I think the outcome would have been different if she was there

You're talking about 6'2 Sacha Washington, a three-year starter in the post and the team's best rebounder. Her loss really hurts a team with sub-par rebounding, but it will be a blessing to have her back next year to team up with Khamil Pierre and a year-older Mikayla Blakes. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

 

[YoDore]

Some good news. Madi played in 11 games last year before going down with an ACL tear. The NCAA has granted her a waiver for a medical redshirt. Rori Harmon of Texas got a waiver earlier this year. She had played in 12 games last season before also going down with a season-ending injury.

Greene is a valuable guard off the bench for coach Ralph. She now has three more years of eligibility.

 

[Blueballer]

Thrilling win for Shea and her team! Beat TENN by 1 point on a buzzer beater. Wish it were on TV.

 

[triaddukefan]

We are all Commodores today.

Might have to look around to see if I still have my Vandy sweatshirts trom yesteryear. (not that they would still fit )

 

[JeannoCT]

@YoDore - congrats on your win!!

 

[packwrap]

Congrats, amazing game by both squads, what a finish!

 

[YoDore]

Shea's Tennessee postgame remarks.

 

[ConnecticutBB]

Does anyone know if this game can be viewed on a streaming link?

 

[YoDore]

Does anyone know if this game can be viewed on a streaming link?

If you have access to ESPN+, this is the link.

Watch ESPN - Stream Live Sports & ESPN Originals

With Watch ESPN you can stream live sports and ESPN originals, watch the latest game replays and highlights, and access featured ESPN programming online.

www.espn.com

 

[YoDore]

A few highlights.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Shea's Tennessee postgame remarks.

Shea is special. For sure.

 

[JellyBean]

Vandy should be ranked

 

[YoDore]

Huge win on the road at #19 Alabama. I've been saying for a couple weeks that Sarah Ashlee Barker would return to the Tide lineup just in time for Vanderbilt, and, not only did she return after being absent since Jan. 2 with an ankle injury, she responded with a career high 36 points. Vandy just can't guard her. Luckily, the Tide had an equally hard time handling Mikayla Blakes, and the Commodore freshman poured in 33 points.

 

[PhilipVU94]

Postgame presser by Shea -- this response starting 2:49 in particular addresses the big picture of how she feels at Vanderbilt. I hope Geno coaches to age 100 and I hope we manage to hold on to her regardless.



Also notable that she led off talking about her esteem for Bama's Kristy Curry. I hunted down Curry's postgame and she was similarly effusive about Shea.

 

[YoDore]

Vandy ranked at 23 in the AP poll today. First time in 11 years being ranked. Doesn't matter in terms of the selection committee anymore, but it's nice to have your name out there and for bragging rights. For the record, they did briefly make the coaches' poll at #24 last year but not the AP poll.

AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA women's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.

apnews.com

 

[Puppy Love]

Vandy ranked at 23 in the AP poll today. First time in 11 years being ranked. Doesn't matter in terms of the selection committee anymore, but it's nice to have your name out there and for bragging rights.

AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA women's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.

apnews.com

I’m crazy happy for Shea and team.

 

[CL82]

Vandy ranked at 23 in the AP poll today. First time in 11 years being ranked. Doesn't matter in terms of the selection committee anymore, but it's nice to have your name out there and for bragging rights.

AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA women's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.

apnews.com

 

[Puppy Love]

Postgame presser by Shea -- this response starting 2:49 in particular addresses the big picture of how she feels at Vanderbilt. I hope Geno coaches to age 100 and I hope we manage to hold on to her regardless.



Also notable that she led off talking about her esteem for Bama's Kristy Curry. I hunted down Curry's postgame and she was similarly effusive about Shea.

Shea is just amazing at press conferences. She does a great job clearly and consistently selling both the university and her program.

 

[CL82]

I would actually be surprised if she came back to Connecticut after Geno retired. Vanderbilt made a good decision to hire her and they continue to support her. It's a good place for her. That said, I can make the argument for her coming back to Connecticut as well.

 

[YoDore]

Vandy freshman Mikayla Blakes receives the United State Basketball Writers Association "Freshman of the Week" award for the second week in a row. She also was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season. This week, she shares the latter award with Joyce Edwards of South Carolina.

 

[YoDore]

Coach Ralph appears on the Debbie Antonelli podcast. Excellent stuff.