Nov. 30, 2010
The Vanderbilt Commodores take a three-game winning streak into a Wednesday night contest with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The game tips off at 8 p.m. CT and can be heard on the Vanderbilt Sports Network from IMG College and vucommodores.com.
The game will be televised regionally on CSS, with Matt Stewart and Barry Booker on the call. Nationally, the game will be available on ESPN Gameplan and on ESPN3.com.
Series Info: Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 13-11. The Commodores lead 7-5 in games at Memorial Gym; VU leads 6-5 in games played at WKU; WKU leads 1-0 at neutral sites.
Head Coaches: Kevin Stallings is in his 12th year at Vanderbilt (218-138) and his 18th overall (340-201). Ken McDonald is in his third year with Western Kentucky (49-25) and third year overall.
Radio: Vanderbilt Sports Network from IMG College (WRQQ – 97.1 FM); vucommodores.com
Play-by-Play: Joe Fisher (13th year); Color: Tim Thompson (10th year)
TV: CSS
Play-by-Play: Matt Stewart; Color: Barry Booker
Vanderbilt audio and twitter feed
About Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky enters the game Wednesday with a 3-3 overall record after dropping a double-overtime, 87-85, decision to South Carolina at Diddle Arena on Saturday. The Hilltoppers’ other two losses came at the 2010 Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan (eventual champion Minnesota, Davidson), a tournament Vanderbilt also participated in.
Juan Pattilo and Steffphon Pettigrew each average 16.7 points per game to lead the Hilltoppers. Sergio Kerusch also averages double-digits with 13.7 ppg. Pattilo actualy averages a double-double, adding 11.2 rebounds per game.
Local Opponents
The Commodores will take on Western Kentucky from nearby Bowling Green, Ky., and then on Saturday, will take on next-door neighbor Belmont. Wednesday’s meeting with WKU marks only the third meeting at Memorial Gym since the 1965-66 season.
Belmont will come to Memorial for only the fourth time and will meet the Commodores for the fifth time overall.
Stallings Versus Western Kentucky
Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings is 3-1 in four career meetings as the Vanderbilt head coach against the Hilltoppers. The lone loss came last season at the Sun Belt Challenge at the Bridgestone Arena (L, 69-76).
Stallings In Non-Conference Play
Entering his 12th season at the helm of the Commodores, Kevin Stallings is 134-46 in non-confernce games and an astounding 98-8 in home non-conference games.
Vanderbilt Vs. The Sun Belt
Vanderbilt is 52-15 all-time in games against the current members of the Sun Belt. Eleven of those losses have come at the hands of WKU.
VU Nears 700 Memorial Gym Wins
The Commodores have posted a 698-188 (.788) all-time record at the 59-year old facility. Memorial Gym is the oldest basketball building in use in the Southeastern Conference.
Vanderbilt-Appalachian State Tidbits – Notes from ‘Dores’ last time out
– The Commodores have now won 15 consecutive nonconference games at Memorial Gym.
– Vanderbilt’s 43 points were the most points scored in the first half this season.
– Vanderbilt is now 4-0 when leading at the half.
– The ‘Dores are now 5-0 when leading with two minutes remaining.
– When playing at home, Vanderbilt has out-rebounded its opponents in all three games (+21.7 margin).
– Vanderbilt is now out-blocking opponents, 35-16, on the season.
– The Commodores are now 5-0 when they get more assists than opponents.
– Vanderbilt attempted 66 field goals for the second consecutive game.
– Vanderbilt’s 51.5% from the floor was its best since shooting 60.7% against Presbyterian in the season-opener.
– Lead changes: 8; Ties: 5; Vanderbilt’s largest lead – 15 (2nd, 1:32)
Player notes:
– Festus Ezeli recorded a career-high 18 points, breaking his previous mark of 15 against North Carolina on November 21, 2010.
– John Jenkins had a career-high 15 first-half points, topping his previous best of 14 set against Grambling State on Wednesday.
– Andre Walker had a season-high eight points, the most since scoring 17 against Georgia on February 25, 2010.
– Walker notched seven assists, matching a career-high set against Florida on January 9, 2010.
– Brad Tinsley has recorded an assist in 16 consecutive games, dating back to the Tennessee game last season. It marked the third consecutive game Tinsley has had five or more assists.
– Lance Goulbourne had a season-high 17 points, the most since recording 18 against LSU on February 13, 2010.
– John Jenkins recorded his fourth 20-point game of the season.
