🏁 A new marathon begins.
We back. #StackhouseEra | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/696EuTL6G3
— Vanderbilt Men's Basketball (@VandyMBB) September 30, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The launching point for Vanderbilt men’s basketball has changed.
Wednesday marked the first official day of practice for head coach Jerry Stackhouse. It also tipped off season three for the former NBA great as he manages his strongest and deepest roster yet.
“We’ve gotten better through the year every year,” Stackhouse said Wednesday. “But hopefully now we can start to hit our stride a little bit sooner and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
The Commodores worked out for two hours inside Memorial Gymnasium – on their sparkling new floor – as they began preparations for the season opener Nov. 10 at home against Alabama State. They’re a team full of veteran returners and highly-touted newcomers.
Coming off a 9-16 season, Stackhouse has a squad he believes has the depth to make noise in the SEC come 2022.
“We’ve got two groups – I think that is really what has happened,” he said. “We’ve had some talent (in seasons past), six or seven guys, and then there’s been a drop-off. I think now we’ve duplicated that talent and that’s great for competition and I think competition helps guys get better and gives us a chance to really get off to a good start.”
Senior Quentin Millora-Brown and juniors Jordan Wright and Scotty Pippen Jr. will be counted on as a trio of leaders who have been embedded with Stackhouse from the outset. Returning sophomores Myles Stute, Tyrin Lawrence and Trey Thomas will also have a hand in setting the standard for eight newcomers in the locker room.
Wright and Pippen have each played 54 games for the Commodores and that experience will be invaluable in 2021-22.
“They’re supposed to be the old guys now. They’re the guys that have been around and know. And you see it,” Stackhouse said. “You see it in their defensive grades being some of the best of everybody because they know what they’re doing and they know what we’re trying to get accomplished.
“They do have a really good rapport. They’re great with showing the younger guys how we got about our business and what we do. I’m super-glad that Scotty’s back. I think Jordan is going to take another step this year – he’s shown flashes over the first couple years and now it’s just about being consistent on both ends. Then I think Q could be one of the best backups in this league. He’s improved and worked his butt off and is going to get better and better going up against Liam (Robbins) everyday.
Robbins, a transfer from Minnesota, is one of the several aforementioned newcomers. He’s joined by freshmen Gabe Dorsey, Shane Dezonie and Peyton Daniels, and walk-on Graham Calton, and Gardner-Webb transfer Jamaine Mann, Texas Christian transfer Terren Frank and Dayton transfer Rodney Chatman as first-time Commodores.
Stackhouse said the fun this time of year lies in figuring out which role each student-athlete will fill while also recognizing how much his veterans have matured.
Wright was equally excited about the prospects of a new campaign and initiating his new teammates to the Vanderbilt way.
“We have a lot of young guys, a lot of new guys,” said Wright. “So it’s just about being there and being a leader for them, being vocal for them and knowing what coach expects so if he doesn’t see it I can come up and correct them.
“We’re super-deep. Every position is talented one through five. We have a lot of guards and our front court depth is also improving as well. We have two solid 5-men and solid 4-men so it’s been a good competition between every position.”
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
