2025-11-06 10:00
Can Vanderbilt University Basketball Finally Make the NCAA Tournament This Year?
As I sip my morning coffee and scroll through this season’s college basketball headlines, one question keeps popping up in my feeds and group chats: Can Vanderbilt University Basketball finally make the NCAA Tournament this year? It’s a question that feels both fresh and painfully familiar if you’ve followed this program over the years. I’ve been tracking Vanderbilt hoops since my undergrad days, and let me tell you, the mix of hope and heartbreak is something of a tradition here. Every season starts with a glimmer—new recruits, a promising non-conference slate—and more often than not, we’re left wondering what might have been come March. But this year? This year feels different, and I’m not just saying that as a longtime fan trying to speak it into existence. There’s a tangible shift in how this team is playing, a kind of resilience I haven’t seen in a while. And it reminds me of something I observed recently in a completely different sport, something that offers a fascinating parallel: the performance of a national volleyball team that, in their own high-stakes tournament, only dropped one set in the five matches they played—that being Set 2 of their knockout semifinals win over Kazakhstan. That stat isn’t just impressive; it’s a blueprint for consistency under pressure, something Vanderbilt desperately needs to emulate if they want to dance in March.
Let’s rewind a bit and look at where Vanderbilt stands right now. The Commodores, under Coach Jerry Stackhouse, have been building something quietly compelling. They finished last season strong, and the momentum seems to be carrying over. I watched their early games this year, and the defensive intensity is noticeably sharper. They’re forcing turnovers, closing out on shooters, and—this is key—they’re not folding when opponents go on runs. In past seasons, a 10-0 run by the other team often meant the game was slipping away. Now, they respond. They counter-punch. It’s that kind of mental fortitude that makes me believe this could be the year they break through. But let’s be real: the SEC is a gauntlet. Facing teams like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama means there’s very little room for error. One bad week can derail an entire season. That’s where the volleyball analogy really hits home for me. Think about that team in their tournament: dominating almost every match, with just one minor slip—a single set lost in the semifinals. They didn’t let that define them; they adapted, closed it out, and kept advancing. Vanderbilt needs that same single-minded focus. They’ve had their own "Set 2" moments already this season—a tough loss to a lesser opponent, a sluggish half where nothing seems to work. The difference this time? They’re learning from those lapses instead of letting them snowball.
Digging deeper into the issues, Vanderbilt’s biggest challenge has always been consistency, especially on the offensive end. They have talent, no doubt. Scotty Pippen Jr. is a bona fide star, and Liam Robbins provides a solid presence inside. But too often, the offense becomes stagnant. I’ve seen games where they rely heavily on isolation plays, which might work against mid-majors but won’t cut it in conference play. The assist numbers tell part of the story—last season, they averaged around 12 assists per game, which placed them in the bottom half of the SEC. Ball movement and player movement off the ball need to improve if they want to create higher-percentage shots. Defensively, they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but lapses in communication, especially in transition D, have cost them dearly. I recall one game where they gave up 15 fast-break points in the first half alone. Those are the kinds of mistakes that get magnified in tournament settings. And that brings me back to that volleyball reference. That team’s ability to drop only one set in five matches wasn’t luck; it was built on disciplined systems and relentless execution. Vanderbilt’s defense, at its best, can be disruptive, but they need to maintain that level for full 40-minute stretches, not just in spurts. The coaching staff has been tweaking schemes, but in my view, it’s as much about mindset as it is about X’s and O’s. The players have to believe they belong, something that’s been missing in past seasons when facing top-tier opponents.
So, what’s the path forward? How can Vanderbilt turn potential into an actual NCAA Tournament bid? First, they need to lock down their defensive identity. I’d love to see them embrace a more aggressive, switching defense that can disrupt offensive flow. Stackhouse has experimented with full-court presses at times, and when it works, it’s beautiful—creating easy baskets off turnovers. But it has to be consistent. Second, offensive execution in crunch time has to improve. Too many possessions in close games end with contested jumpers. They need to establish a go-to set play for late-game situations, something involving multiple options to keep defenses guessing. Personally, I’d like to see more pick-and-roll actions with Pippen and Robbins, leveraging their chemistry. And finally, health and depth will be critical. Last year, injuries to key players like Jordan Wright exposed their lack of bench production. This season, they need to develop reliable rotations, maybe giving more minutes to emerging freshmen who bring energy and shooting. I’m thinking of players like Paul Lewis, who has shown flashes of being a sparkplug off the bench. If they can stay healthy and build trust in their role players, they’ll be better equipped for the grind of SEC play. And let’s not forget scheduling. Their non-conference slate includes games against Pitt and NC State—winning those would provide a huge resume boost and build confidence heading into conference matchups.
Reflecting on all this, the question—Can Vanderbilt University Basketball finally make the NCAA Tournament this year?—isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about overcoming a narrative. As a fan, I’ve felt the frustration of near-misses, but I also see the pieces falling into place. That volleyball team’s run, losing only one set in five matches, is a testament to what focused, adaptive teams can achieve. Vanderbilt has the talent and, seemingly, the growing maturity to emulate that kind of consistency. If they can tighten up their offensive sets, maintain defensive intensity, and stay healthy, I genuinely believe they can secure a spot in the Big Dance. It might come down to the SEC Tournament, where every possession is magnified, but this group feels different. They’re playing with a chip on their shoulder, and as someone who’s watched this program for years, that’s exactly what I’ve been waiting to see. So, mark my words: keep an eye on the Commodores. This could be the year they silence the doubters and make some noise when it matters most.
