SEC Play Begins at LSU

Vanderbilt (12-1, 0-0 SEC) at LSU (11-2, 0-0 SEC)
Saturday, Jan. 4 • 3:30 p.m.

Pete Maravich Assembly Center • Baton Rouge, La. • ESPN2

AT THE TIP

• Vanderbilt opens the 18-game Southeastern Conference slate with a Saturday afternoon showdown against LSU in Baton Rouge.
• The contest with the Tigers will air on ESPN2 with Roy Philpott and Carolyn Peck on the call. Fans can also catch the game on 102.5 The Game with Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson.

VALUING THE BASKETBALL

• Vanderbilt ranks seventh in the nation in turnover rate, committing a TO on just 13.4 percent of its possessions this season.
• On the flip side, the Dores defense creates turnovers on 22.9 percent of opposing possessions which ranks 12th nationally.
• Vandy ranks 13th nationally, committing just 9.5 turnovers per game.
• The Commodores rank fifth nationally in turnover margin (+6.8) and fourth in steals per game (10.8).
• The black and gold sits 20th in the country with a 1.67 assist/turnover ratio.

 DORES CAN SCORE

• Vanderbilt ranks 15th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 86.5 ppg.
• The Dores have reached 80 points 10 times this season. In 2023-24, Vandy hit 80 on just two occasions.
• The current scoring pace would rank second all-time at Vanderbilt behind just the 1971-72 team at 86.8 ppg.

TERRIFIC TANNER

• True freshman Tyler Tanner completed nonconference play without committing a turnover in 270 minutes of action.
• He’s the only player in the country to play more than 150 minutes this season without committing a turnover.
• Since 1996-97, Tanner’s 270 minutes are the most by any player to not commit a turnover in nonconference action. Only three other players have played more than 200 minutes without a TO in nonconference games.
• Tanner also leads all freshmen in the country with 32 steals on the season and ranks 15th among all players.
• Tanner scored a season-high 16 points, all in the second half, against New Orleans while also grabbing a season-best seven rebounds.
• He’s also had multiple steals in 10-of-13 games with three or more takeaways in six contests.

SERIES HISTORY

• Vanderbilt leads the all-time series 65-59 over the Tigers, but LSU leads 37-20 in Baton Rouge.
• The Dores are seeking their first win in Baton Rouge since 2017, having dropped the last five in the PMAC.
• LSU swept the season series in 2024, including a 77-69 win over the Dores in Baton Rouge.
• Saturday’s showdown is the 125th meeting in series history.