Last week, second-year Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew secured what many consider to be the best recruit in the history of the school when consensus five-star prospect Darius Garland signed with the Commodores. His pledge is a game-changer for a program that has seen its share of success over the years but has never been able to reach the next level. Those close to the program expect Garland’s commitment to attract even more talent, as top-10 prospect Simi Shittu is also expected to sign with Vanderbilt next spring. Drew also landed four-star wing Aaron Nesmith in the early signing period, and his program is currently among the final three (along with Indiana and Kansas) for the services of five-star guard Romeo Langford. Needless to say, the perception of the program is undergoing a significant shift very quickly, and that will be evident when the Commodores take the floor next fall.
Despite enduring two losses, this has been a banner week for Bryce Drew and Vanderbilt. (USA TODAY Sports)
While there is plenty of reason for excitement about the transformative future of the program, the current crop of Commodores isn’t looking past this season. On Sunday night, Vanderbilt, which is led by seniors Matthew Fisher-Davis, Riley LaChance and Jeff Roberson, took #10 USC to overtime before eventually falling, 93-89. The Commodores controlled the game for most of the first half before a stunning barrage of five unanswered three-pointers gave the Trojans a one-point edge at the break. Vanderbilt came back to again control the game in the second half — building a 10-point lead with just under 10 minutes left — but could not hold that lead, as USC knocked down a number of key threes (12-of-26 3FG) while committing only six turnovers in the entire game. Despite the disappointing loss in addition to an earlier defeat at crosstown rival Belmont, the veteran Commodores know there is plenty of season left to turn things around. “We are not satisfied, but there are definitely things we can learn from this game, and things we can take from it,” Fisher-Davis said after the game.
Things will not get any easier this week for the 2-2 Commodores, as they will now travel to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to play Virginia on Thanksgiving day in the NIT Tip-off. On Friday, they will play either Rhode Island or Seton Hall against what will likely be a hostile crowd. Looking into December and beyond, they still have quality non-conference opponents in Kansas State, Middle Tennessee, Arizona State and TCU on their schedule. Combining those games with what lies ahead in what appears to be a much tougher SEC, Vanderbilt will have plenty of chances to enhance its resume for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. And while there is a temptation for fans of the program to look even further ahead to what is certain to be a very bright future in Nashville, there is more than enough talent left on this year’s roster for another postseason run to be made.