March 16, 2012
Previous Tournament Blogs: Thursday | Wednesday | Tuesday
Twenty-four hours before their third round matchup with Wisconsin, the Commodores returned to The Pit Friday afternoon for another press conference and practice session.
Under the NCAA Tournament format, the mandatory press conference requires Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings and three players to go in front of the cameras while the rest of the roster is available to reporters for a 30-minute period in the locker room. Today, seniors Brad Tinsley, Jeffery Taylor and Lance Goulbourne had the honor of taking the stage (read transcript).
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by Brandon Barca (Archive) Twitter updates @brandonbarca |
Once media availability expired, the team made its way to the floor for a closed practice to prepare for the Badgers. While I can’t reveal too many details in the blog (you wouldn’t want me to give away the game plan, would you?), I can tell you the players were focused and engaged in everything the coaches went over.
One of the keys for the Commodores Saturday will be to stay patient on both ends of the court.
“(Wisconsin) takes a lot of time when they have the ball on offense,” Taylor told the press. “We can’t get impatient and start rushing stuff trying to get the game going too fast. They do a really good job of making shots and making plays at the end of the shot clock, and we just have to play solid defense. Then when we get the ball, we have to try to push it and get the pace going in the game.”
I thought the Commodores played really loose during the hour and a half practice. One example of this was during an early shooting drill that challenged the ‘Dores to hit as many shots in a row as they could from the elbow. Nine players cycled through the line and at one point the group made it into the fourth rotation without a miss. That’s over 27 consecutive makes from the edges of the free throw line and the high post. As the number got higher, the players got louder, rooting each other on to see how far they could go. They were relaxed and having fun with no signs of stress or pressure in the thin, high-altitude air of Albuquerque.
There was also a lot of positive communication between the coaches and players. Never underestimate the benefit of having a veteran roster to run an effective and efficient practice. This team knows how to take care of business.
When the session concluded, Stallings praised the players for their effort. “You guys did a very good job,” he told the huddle. “You had good energy, good execution. Good Job.”
Oh, the Madness
Everyone gets caught up in the exciting finishes around the nation in the Big Dance.
Even the teams participating in the tournament.
After practice, the Commodores were headed back to the locker room when news spread that No. 15 seed Norfolk State was close to knocking off heavy favorite and No. 2 seed Missouri. The team quickly huddled around the scorer’s table to watch the end of the game.
“This is March Madness for real,” Kyle Fuller said.
As each moment unfolded, you could hear coaches discussing strategies and players reacting to performances of their peers.
How many dribbles can you get with 2.6 seconds left on the clock? “Three fast ones,” Stallings said without hesitation.
Norfolk State pulled off the shocker, becoming only the fifth 15 seed to eliminate a two seed and first since 2001. Two hours later, it happened again as Lehigh stunned Duke in Greensboro.
Watch this video clip of the ‘Dores getting into the spirit of March Madness. And look for the footage at the end of Fuller and Dai-Jon Parker racing up the steep incline in The Pit’s tunnel.
Quote of the Day
“I have no idea what day it is.” — Andrew “Boggles” III
That happens during life on the road. We’ve been in Albuquerque for four days and I have no idea what is going on in the outside world. I heard Taco Bell is serving tacos with Doritos shells, but I’m not that gullible. Nice try.
Check out Boggs’ game preview and notes. My favorite stat: The Commodores are 1-0 when Mr. Kitty has been mentioned in the blog.
Tipoff is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. CT on TNT.
Around the Web
Vanderbilt-Wisconsin Previews 
Jenkins a man of many talents (Scott Zucker, USA Today)
Vandy faces tough Wisconsin defense (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Previewing Albuquerque: Saturday’s games (Andy Katz, ESPN.com)
Jenkins nears Vandy scoring marks (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Wisconsin’s edge in experience (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Badgers senior Wilson steps up (Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press)
Vanderbilt set for tough test (Meghan Rose, Inside Vandy)
Jenkins reminiscent of Curry (Jim Polzin, Wisconsin State Journal)
Wisconsin, VU hope to take next step (Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe)
Men’s Basketball: Wisconsin set for Vanderbilt (Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Badgers spread work around (Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Through the eyes of common foe (Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Vanderbilt-Harvard Recap Vanderbilt slams door on NCAA losing streak (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Vanderbilt sheds its NCAA albatross (Andy Katz, ESPN.com)
Vanderbilt turns the corner (Dennis Dodd, CBSsports.com)
No first-round flops this time (George Dohrmann, SI.com)
Vanderbilt revels in tourney success (Thayer Evans, FoxSports.com)
Ezeli turns tide with run of rebounds (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Taylor has big game before home crowd (Jeff Lockridge, The Tennessean)
Vanderbilt shakes Harvard (Meghan Rose, Inside Vandy)
Taylor family visits The Pit (Jessica Dyer, ABQ Journal)
Taylor launches into space (Mike Miller, NBC Sports)
Photos from The Pit
More images from today’s trip to the sunken edifice…
