Dec. 18, 2006
Yahoo Radio | Game Notes | Gameday
| IN THE KNOW |
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 NeltnerVanderbilt leads the SEC in team free throw percentage at 74.3% (139-of-187). The Commodores tied their season high for free throw shooting percentage against Nicholls State, making 17 of 21 attempts (81%). Four VU players are converting on 80 percent and above from the charity stripe- Jermaine Beal (86.4%), Dan Cage (83.3%), Ross Neltner (82.9%), and Shan Foster (80%). |
Vanderbilt (6-3) looks to extend its five-game win streak this week when it travels to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout, Dec. 19-21. The Commodores play tournament-host Puerto Rico Mayaguez Tuesday at 9 a.m. CT to tip off the three-game event. Other participants include Tennessee Tech (4-4), Northwestern (6-2), Utah (4-5), Central Florida (6-1), Virginia (6-1) and Appalachian State (7-3).
Vanderbilt is coming off a 76-40 victory over visiting Nicholls State on Saturday. The Commodores held the Colonels to only 12 points in the first half — a record for the fewest points in a half under head coach Kevin Stallings. Vanderbilt limited Nicholls State to only 13 field goals for the game while forcing the Colonels into 23 turnovers.
Junior forward Ross Neltner registered his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while freshman Jermaine Beal tossed in a career-high 15 points.
The victory was the 128th win for Stallings during his eight seasons at Vanderbilt. He is one win away from tying former Vanderbilt head coach C.M. Newton for third on the school’s all-time coaching wins list. Roy Skinner is first with 278 followed by Bob Polk with 197.
The Commodores will face either Tennessee Tech or Northwestern in second round action on Wednesday, Dec. 20. If Vanderbilt wins its first game, its second round contest will tip at 1 p.m. CT. Should the Commodores lose their first-round matchup, their second-round game would start at 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday.
Vanderbilt owns a 23-7 all-time record against teams participating in the San Juan Shootout. The Commodores have played Tennessee Tech (12-5) most often, followed by Virginia (5-1), Northwestern (4-1) and Appalachian State (2-0). Vanderbilt has never played Puerto-Rico Mayaguez, Utah or Central Florida.
Vanderbilt’s last participation in a regular-season tournament off the continental United States came during the 2001-02 campaign when the Commodores were 2-1 at the Hawaii Pacific Thanksgiving Classic, in Honolulu. This is Vanderbilt’s first visit to the San Juan Shootout.
2006 San Juan Shootout (8-Team Field, All Times Central)
Tuesday, December 19
Game 1: Vanderbilt vs. UPR-Mayaguez – 9 a.m.
Game 2: Northwestern vs. Tennessee Tech – 11 a.m.
Game 3: Utah vs. Central Florida – 1 p.m.
Game 4: Virginia vs. Appalachian State – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20
Game 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 9 a.m.
Game 6: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser – 11 a.m.
Game 7: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 1 p.m.
Game 8: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner – 3 p.m.
Thursday, December 21
Game 9: Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Loser – 9 a.m. (for seventh place)
Game 10: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner – 11 a.m. (for fifth place)
Game 11: Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser – 1 p.m. (for third place)
Game 12: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner – 3 p.m. (for championship)
