RV Vanderbilt (0-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Lipscomb Bisons (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
Monday, Nov. 3 • 7 p.m. CT
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn.
SEC Network+ • 94.9 The Fan • Game Notes • Game Day Central
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt men’s basketball tips off the 2025-26 season Monday night in Memorial Gymnasium with a 7 p.m. start against Lipscomb.
The contest will stream on SEC Network+ with Andrew Allegretta and Shan Foster on the call. Fans can also tune in to 94.9 The Fan to hear Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson’s broadcast.
MUSIC CITY TIPOFF
- For the first time since 2014, Vanderbilt opens its season against a fellow Nashville resident as the Commodores welcome Lipscomb to Memorial Gymnasium.
- The Dores hosted Trevecca in the 2014 season opener and followed by hosting the Bisons in game two of the schedule – also the most recent time the Dores and Bisons have met on the hardwood.
- The Commodores have faced Music City foes seven times to tip a season, holding a perfect 7-0 record in those matchups.
- Vanderbilt and Lipscomb meet for the first time since 2014 and the 29th time in program history. The Dores lead the all-time series 24-4 and have won nine straight dating to 1951 and 23-of-24 dating to 1940-41.
ANALYTICS DARLING
- Vanderbilt is a favorite among the numerous computer rankings in college basketball heading into the 2025-26 season.
- KenPom has the Dores ranked 19th nationally with the No. 19 offense and No. 23 defense in college basketball.
- EvanMiya has Vandy slotted 24th with the 16th-best offensive rating.
- Bart Torvik has the Commodores 20th overall and tabs the offense as the ninth-best in the nation heading into the season. The Dores are the highest rated SEC offense in Torvik’s system.
GROWING UP (LITERALLY)
- Vanderbilt spent the 2024-25 season as an undersized roster, ranking 298th in KenPom’s average height ranking which includes minutes played into the equation.
- The Commodores were the third-shortest high major roster in the ranking in 2024-25.
- This season, Vanderbilt’s average height has grown from 76.1 inches to 78.2 among the expected rotation. That mark would have ranked in the top 50 last season.
- Vanderbilt’s roster features seven players listed at 6-foot-7 or taller in 2025-26.
NEW TEAM, PLENTY OF FAMILIARITY
- Vanderbilt added 11 new players to the roster for the 2025-26 campaign, but there’s plenty of connections among the new arrivals.
- Jalen Washington joins the Dores after three seasons at North Carolina. The versatile big was recruited to Nashville by Tyler Nickel, who played with Washington during the pair’s freshman season in Chapel Hill.
- Washington was also high school teammates with Mason Nicholson at Gary West Side in Gary, Ind. The pair are reunited after last playing together in a 22-5 season and Indiana state semifinal run.
- The Commodores faced both Duke Miles and Frankie Collins during regular season action in 2024-25.
SERIES HISTORY
- Vandy and Lipscomb meet for the first time in 11 years to open the 2025-26 campaign with the Commodores leading the all-time series 24-4.
- All four of Lipscomb’s victories in the series come prior to 1952.
- The two arenas are separated by less than four miles.
- Vanderbilt has won 22 of the past 23 meetings dating to 1940-41.
