No. 24/21 Vanderbilt vs. Bellarmine
Monday, Nov. 2 • 6 p.m. CT
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn.
Tickets • SEC Network+ • 102.5 The Game
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 24 Vanderbilt men’s basketball team tips off the 2026-27 season Monday night at 6 p.m. as the Commodores host Bellarmine at Memorial Gymnasium.
The lid lifter will stream on SEC Network+ with Andrew Allegretta and Shan Foster on the call. Fans can also tune in to 102.5 The Game locally in Nashville and on the Vanderbilt Athletics app to listen to Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson call all the action.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
- Vanderbilt's 2025-26 campaign saw the Dores earn their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012.
- Vanderbilt's 27 wins last season were one shy of the program record set in 1992-93.
- The black and gold reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Mark Byington's first two seasons at the helm. It's the first back-to-back appearances since 2015-16.
PRESEASON PRAISE
- Tyler Tanner has racked up the preseason recognition, garnering first team All-America picks from the Associated Press, CBS Sports and ESPN.
- Tanner has also made his way onto the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year watch list and the NABC Player of the Year watch list.
- He was a unanimous first team All-SEC selection as well.
- Andy Katz tabbed Tanner as the best junior in college basketball heading into the season
- Tanner averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season en route to earning First Team All-SEC and a slew of All-America recognition.
NATIONALLY RANKED
- The Commodores begin the season ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the Coaches Poll. It's the first time since 2015-16 Vanderbilt has entered the season ranked.
- The Dores have appeared in 18-straight AP polls dating back to last season, matching the school record for most consecutive poll appearances in school history. Vandy appeared in 18-straight polls spanning the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
- Vanderbilt's 2026-27 roster is the seventh youngest in college basketball and the second youngest in high major hoops behind Arkansas.
- The Commodores feature seven freshmen and another four sophomores on the roster. All 15 of the Dores are eligible to return next season as well.
THE MATCHUP
- Vanderbilt opens the 2026-27 regular season against Bellarmine.
- Monday night's lid lifter is the first matchup between the Commodores and Knights.
- The season opener features two of the youngest rosters in college basketball featuring a combined 13 freshmen and another nine sophomores.
TICKETS
Vanderbilt men’s basketball season and single-game tickets are now on sale along with mini-plans. Secure the best seats to the best matchups in Memorial Gymnasium all season long by visiting VUCommodores.com/mbb-ticketing.