Vanderbilt's men's basketball season ended in disappointment as the Commodores missed out on both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT for the first time since 2003. However, there are plenty of reasons to look very forward to the 2009-10 campaign.
EVERYONE IS RETURNING: With the exception of sophomore center A.J. Ogilvy, who might test the NBA Draft waters, this entire squad will return next season. Add in Ogilvy (who would be wise to return to Nashville for his junior season after suffering through injuries and illness all year) and sophomore Andre Walker (who missed the entire season with a torn ACL after playing in all 34 games as a freshman) and this team will have more than enough experience to improve on the court from this rebuilding season.
HELP IS ON THE WAY: Heralded shooting guard John Jenkins from nearby Gallatin will join the fold this summer, and he could be an instant starter. After averaging a nation-leading 42 points per game as a senior against defenses geared specifically to stop him, recruiting analysts believe that Jenkins could be the best shooter in all of college basketball next year from the instant he steps on campus. On a team that was hurt far more than expected from the graduations of sharpshooters Shan Foster and Alex "Red" Gordon last year, Jenkins should quickly become Vanderbilt's most dangerous weapon from beyond the arc.
THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE IS STILL DOWN: In a conference that received fewer bids (just three) to the NCAA tournament than some mid-major conferences, the Commodores may not face as much competition within the SEC as they have in years past. If the Commodores can pull off 10 wins against a relatively weak conference slate, their chances of making the tournament next year will be very high.
THIS FRESHMAN CLASS IS FOR REAL: Led by Jeff Taylor and Brad Tinsley, Coach Kevin Stallings' rising sophomores have the potential to be one of the best classes that Vanderbilt has ever seen once all is said and done. With three starters and several more key contributors, these players got far more experience than the average freshman class. And if you include redshirt freshman Festus Ezeli (pictured), who has only been playing organized basketball for a few years but really came on strong towards the end of the season, then these guys could be extremely dangerous a year or two down the road.
THE TEAM IS HUNGRY: Find your way over to the Rec at night, and odds are you will find at least a few guys from the team playing pick-up games with students. They love the game, and are not letting the premature end to their season prevent them from playing it and continuing to get better. From walk-ons to starters, it is encouraging to see that they are not merely relying on their athleticism to dominate their overmatched classmates. Instead, they are working on the little things, like getting steals on defense and refining their mid-range jumpers. With the commitment these players have made to getting better, one should expect that their hard work will pay off next season.
