Feb. 27, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt is riding its longest winning streak of the season – four games – heading into Tuesday’s road matchup with No. 11 Kentucky. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Commodores are playing their best defense during that stretch, as well.
On Saturday, Vanderbilt defeated Mississippi State, 77-48, at Memorial Gym. The 28-point win marked the ‘Dores’ largest margin of victory of the season, and the Bulldogs’ 48 points were a season-low for a Vanderbilt opponent. Mississippi State shot just 29.8 percent from the field and committed 17 turnovers against Vanderbilt.
During their four-game winning streak, the Commodores have held opponents to 35.8 percent shooting from the field, down from their season average of 42.4 percent. Teams are shooting a mere 23.3 percent (14-of-60) on 3-point attempts against Vanderbilt, and its last four opponents have committed 48 turnovers against 39 assists.
Head coach Bryce Drew said he is happy to see his team find a groove late in the season.
“We haven’t strung together four consecutive games where we’ve been this focused and played this hard and executed this well,” Drew said Saturday.
Success on defense is nothing new to Drew. Prior to arriving at Vanderbilt last spring, Drew’s teams at Valparaiso were often defined by defense. His final Crusaders squad (2015-16) ranked fifth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per Ken Pomeroy. Now, Drew thinks his Commodores have hit their stride on defense.
“I think they’ve bought in, and I think a lot is just instinctual,” Drew said. “When you don’t have to think about it, it becomes second-nature to you. I think by practicing throughout the whole year, they’re reacting right away and doing it and not thinking about it and what they’re supposed to do. I think it’s just been a process of getting used to what we’re trying to do on the defensive end.”
Drew said solid defense has also fueled Vanderbilt’s offense. Against Mississippi State, the Commodores shot 47.4 percent (27-of-57) from the field and 48.3 percent (14-of-29) on 3-pointers. They managed to get out in transition and maintain their sizeable lead along the way.
Vanderbilt hopes to use its renewed energy on defense and close the regular season strong. After facing Kentucky on Tuesday, the ‘Dores welcome No. 13 Florida to Memorial Gym on Saturday. Both SEC foes rank in Pomeroy’s top 25 most efficient offenses in college basketball. Junior forward Jeff Roberson, who scored a career-high 23 points against Mississippi State, said Vanderbilt knows exactly what’s at stake this week.
“You want to play your best ball around this time of the year,” Roberson said. “We’re getting better and better, so it’s exciting.”
