Dec. 15, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 8-2 l CURRENT STREAK: Won seven straight
UPCOMING GAMES:
Dec. 21: host UT-Martin, Noon
Dec. 29-30: at Fordham Holiday Classic (VU vs. New Mexico State in first round)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @VandyWBB l Facebook: Vandy Hoops l Instagram: vandywbb
Ending a 10-day stretch between games, the Vanderbilt women return to Memorial Gym to host in-state rival UT Martin on Monday at noon. The contest — which will include the annual Teddy Bear Toss (details below) — is the first game for the Commodores since Dec. 10, when they posted a 97-43 victory over Troy and extended their winning streak to seven games. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening and what’s ahead for the Commodores:
THIS IS OUR HOUSE
Monday’s game against UT-Martin is the Commodores’ final non-conference home game of the 2015-16 campaign. Vanderbilt has gone 7-0 at home this season, which extends a long-standing run of success for the Commodores. Dating back to the start of the 2010-11 campaign, Vanderbilt has compiled a 44-2 record against non-conference foes at Memorial Gym during the regular season. Dating back to the arrival of head coach Melanie Balcomb prior to to the 2002-03 season, the Commodores own a 94-8 record on their home floor in regular-season, non-conference games. They have gone 13-1 against non-conference opponents at Memorial Gym since the start of the 2014-15 season.
MILESTONE FOR COACH
Vanderbilt’s victory over Troy on Dec. 10 was the 300th win for head coach Melanie Balcomb during her tenure in Nashville. Balcomb, who is the program’s all-time wins leader, downplayed the significance of the occasion. “It honestly just means that I get another (commemorative) ball,” said Balcomb with a smile. “I’m probably just going to take the ball home or something. Because, really, what means the most to me, is that I’ve got to experience so many great players and coaches. I mean, nobody does this by themselves.” The milestone for Balcomb came just a five days after the Commodores had celebrated another milestone — their 65-39 win over ETSU was the 800th in the program’s history.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:
BEAR NECESSITIES
The Commodores’ game on Dec. 21 against UT-Martin has been designated for the annual “Teddy Bear Toss” promotion, which is always one of the most popular events of the season. Fans are encouraged to purchase new Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals to bring to the gym. At halftime, fans can participate in a contest in which they will attempt to throw the stuffed animals toward a target at midcourt. The person with the closest toss will receive a Vanderbilt prize pack. More importantly, all of the stuffed animals from the contest will be donated to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
GIVE AWAYS
At all home games, Vanderbilt fans can look forward to several in-game promotions, including the T-shirt toss (thrown by cheerleaders during timeouts) and gold-shaker giveaways. There are also free posters and wallet-sized schedules available at the marketing tables and miniature basketballs will be throw into the stands during selected timeouts.
