Nov. 23, 2010
The Vanderbilt Commodores return to the friendly confines of Memorial Gym on Wednesday evening when they entertain the Grambling State Tigers. The game tips off at 7 p.m. CT and can be heard on the Vanderbilt Sports Network from IMG College and vucommodores.com.
Series Info: First Meeting.
Head Coaches: Kevin Stallings is in his 12th year at Vanderbilt (216-138) and his 18th overall (339-201). Bobby Washington is in his second season at Grambling State (8-25) and 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: None
Webcast, Audio, and Twitter feedVanderbilt Gamenotes 
Quick Hits from North Carolina Game and 2010 Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off
– The Commodores finished the 2010 Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off with a 2-1 record after knocking off North Carolina Sunday.
– The series record moves to 6-4 in favor of North Carolina. It was the first meeting between the two schools since 1995.
– Vanderbilt knocked off a top 10 team for the first time since defeating number one Tennesse, 72-69, on Feb. 26, 2008. The Commodores are now 82-101 in games against teams in the AP Top 25 all-time (since 1949) and 7-13 on neutral floors.
– In the Stallings’ era, Vanderbilt is now 27-47 in games against ranked opponents.
– In neutral site, preseason tournament games since 2006, Vanderbilt has a 10-3 record (loss to Appalachian State in the finals of 2006 San Juan Shootout, first-round loss to Cincinnati in 2009 EA Sports Maui Invitational, loss to West Virginia).
– The Commodores led for most of the game – a 9-0 run pushed Vanderbilt to a 22-13 lead early on, and VU held the lead until North Carolina capped a second-half comeback to take the lead, 50-49. UNC came out of the halftime break on a 21-10 run.
– Vanderbilt responded a minute later with two free throws from Brad Tinsley to give them a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
– VU’s largest lead came with 59 seconds remaining in the half, when the Commodores led by 14 (39-25).
– All nine Commodores that saw action in the game scored for the second consecutive game.
– Vanderbilt shot a blistering 63.6% from the floor in the first half (14-22), 66.7% from three (6-9), and 83.3% from the free throw line (5-6).
– For the game, VU outshot North Carolina, 46.8% to 40.7%.
– Vanderbilt committed a season-high 21 turnovers, but also forced a season-high 22 by North Carolina.
– The score was tied five times and the game saw seven lead changes.
Commodores Finish Third In San Juan
Vanderbilt saw some good competition at the 2010 Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off – the Commodores knocked off Nebraska and then-#8 North Carolina, and dropped a tough three-point decision to West Virginia in the tournament semifinals.
Win Over Ranked Opponent
– Vanderbilt knocked off a top 10 team for the first time since defeating number one Tennesse, 72-69, on Feb. 26, 2008. The Commodores are now 82-101 in games against teams in the AP Top 25 all-time (since 1949) and 7-13 on neutral floors.
– In the Stallings’ era, Vanderbilt is now 27-47 in games against ranked opponents.
– The win over North Carolina was Vanderbilt’s first over a ranked opponent in November in the Stallings era, and the first since defeating #4 UCLA, 75-71, on November 22, 1995.
About Grambling State
Grambling State is 1-4 entering the game against the Commodores on Wednesday. Justin Patton leads the Tigers with 14.6 points per game. Brandon Wilson also averages double-figures with 11.3 points per contest.
Stallings Versus Grambling State
Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings has never faced Grambling in his career.
Stallings In Non-Conference Play
Entering his 12th season at the helm of the Commodores, Kevin Stallings is 132-46 in non-confernce games and an astounding 96-8 in home non-conference games.
Vanderbilt Vs. The SWAC
Vanderbilt is 6-0 all-time in games against the SWAC.
3-Point Streak Continues Through 21st Season; VU One Of Three Teams To Hit A Trey In Every Game Since 1986-87 Season
Vanderbilt has made a 3-pointer in 766 consecutive games, a streak which began at the inception of the 3-point line in 1986-87. The Commodores rank second only to UNLV (773) for the longest streak in Division I basketball. Vanderbilt, UNLV and Princeton (651) are the only three schools in college basketball to have made at least one 3-pointer in every game played since the 3-point line was implemented.
Individual Game Tickets Available
Although the Commodores are less than 50 tickets away from selling out season tickets for the 2010-11 season, there are a few individual game tickets to the Grambling State and the Appalachian State tickets in the Vanderbilt student section, since they are on Thanksgiving break. There are also single game tickets available for the Southeastern Louisiana, Marquette, Davidson, and Florida games.
Tickets are $17 (Florida game is $27) and can be purchased at the McGugin Center Ticket Office, the Memorial Gym ticket office 90 minutes before tip-off, calling 615-322-GOLD or visiting vucommodores.com.
