Byington Update

After going 26-8 and losing in the Final of the SEC Tournament to Arkansas, Vanderbilt was given a Five Seed and sent to Oklahoma City.  In the first round, the Commodores rolled past McNeese State by 78 to 68.  In the second round, they played a Nebraska team that had a record of 27-6, and whose fans had almost every seat in the gym.

Playing what was, for all intents and purposes, a road game, the Commodores made a splendid effort.  Down 39-32 at the half, they roared back and took a late lead.  But the Cornhuskers rallied to go up 74-72 with 3 seconds left in the game.  Tyler Tanner, Vandy's all-SEC point guard, tried a half court shot at the buzzer for the win.  His shot was on line the whole way, but it hit the back rim, then the front rim, and then it spun out.  Vandy was eliminated.

Vandy finished 27-9 overall, 11-7 in the SEC.  They take the runners-up trophy in the SEC Tournament, and a Second Round appearance in the NCAA's.  They are currently ranked 11 on Ken Pom, and 177 for luck.  If that Ken Pom ranking holds, it will be their highest final ranking on Ken Pom ever -- and his database goes back to 1997.

On the whole, a very successful season for Vandy.  If Coach Byington stays in Nashville, I think his future -- and that of the Commodores -- is very bright.