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?