Dec. 20, 2010
The Vanderbilt Commodores play their second road game of the season, and their second in the last three games, when they take on Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro at 8 p.m. CT. The game can be heard on the Vanderbilt Sports Network from IMG College and vucommodores.com.
CSS will have the television broadcast of the game in the southeast, and the game will be available on the ESPN Full Court package and on ESPN3.com for those not in the southeast.
Tickets are still available from the MTSU Ticket Office for the game. Tickets are $20, and to order, please call 1-888-YES-MTSU.
Series Info: Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 27-4; Vanderbilt leads 15-0 in Nashville and 12-4 in Murfreesboro.
Last Meeting: Vanderbilt defeated MTSU, 73-53, at Memorial Gym on January 4, 2010.
Head Coaches: Kevin Stallings is in his 12th year at Vanderbilt (221-139) and his 18th overall (343-202). Kermit Davis is in his ninth season at MTSU (141-117) and 16th season overall (278-192).
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: Charlie McAlexander; Color: Dave Odom
Live Audio, Stats, Twitter Feed
Vanderbilt-Southeastern Louisiana Tidbits
The Commodores returned to action after a 10-day break for final exams with an 85-52 victory over Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at Memorial Gym. Steve Tchiengang and Jeffery Taylor scored a team-high 15 points, and Vanderbilt topped the 50% barrier from the floor for the fifth consecutive game.
– This marked the first time Vanderbilt scored 53 points in the first half since putting up 53 against Bradley in Cancun, Mexico on November 24, 2007.
– The 29-point half time lead was the highest the Commodores have had this season, topping the previous high of 20 set against Presbyterian on November 12.
– Vanderbilt has now shot 50% from the floor in their last five games, and for six games total in 2010-11.
– The 20 made field goals in the first half were the most Vanderbilt has made in any half this season.
– Vanderbilt’s nine turnovers were a season-low – previous low was against Presbyterian on November 12 when the Commodores turned it over ten times.
– Vanderbilt made a season-high 13 three-point buckets, topping the previous high of 11 made in an 82-62 win over Western Kentucky on December 1.
– Six different Commodores made a three-point shot for the third game this year with the other times being against Grambling State on November 24 and Presbyterian in the opener on November 12.
Player notes
– Steve Tchiengang had a career-high 15 points, breaking his previous high of 12 set against Grambling State on November 24.
– Jeffery Taylor also added 15 points, his 53rd career double-figure scoring game.
– Rod Odom is now 9-for-12 from beyond the arc in his last four games.
– John Jenkins scored 12 points, and has now scored in double figures in every game this season.
– Brad Tinsley dished out seven assists, and has recorded at least five assists in six games this season with the Commodores winning each game.
– Jordan Smart recorded his first career points when he made a three-point basket in the second half.
About MTSU
Middle Tennessee State is now 4-7 on the season after losing a tough, 81-79 decision at Evansville on Dec. 18. James Washington leads all Blue Raiders in scoring, averaging 15.0 points per contest. Jason Jones also averages double-figures with 10.8 points per game.
The MTSU Series
The Commodores are 27-4 all-time against the Blue Raiders, and will be making only their third trip to Murfreesboro since the 1936-37 campaign. VU’s last trip to MTSU came in the 1994-95 campaign, a game the Blue Raiders won, 93-90.
Stallings Versus MTSU
Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings has a 2-0 all-time record against MTSU.
Stallings In Non-Conference Play
Entering his 12th season at the helm of the Commodores, Kevin Stallings is 137-47 in non-confernce games and an astounding 101-8 in home non-conference games.
Vanderbilt Vs. The Sun Belt
Vanderbilt is 53-15 all-time against the Sun Belt Conference…VU is 1-0 against the league in 2010-11 after defeating Western Kentucky, 82-62, on Dec. 1 at Memorial Gym…The Commodores’ last true road game against a Sun Belt foe came on Nov. 28, 2000, at Western Kentucky in a 70-66 VU win.
Commodores Near The Top In A Number Of SEC Categories
Although it’s in the early goings of the 2010-11 campaign (as of 12/20), Vanderbilt has asserted itself near the top of the SEC team rankings in a number of different categories. The Commodores rank first in scoring (80.2), scoring margin (+16.0), free throw percentage (.721), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.287), 3-point field goals made (8.6), and rebound margin (+7.4), and are second in field goal percentage (.480) and 3-point field goal percentage (.391).