Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech flew all the way to San Juan, Puerto Rico to meet in the second round of a tournament that is apparently so well attended, it is only possible to get scoring updates at halftime and once the game is over. After a (thrilling?) 66-65 win over Northwestern, the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech look to improve on their 6-12 lifetime record aganist the Commies in second round action tomorrow.
Tennessee Tech is not a great team, but they do have an offensive formula that has spelled trouble for Vanderbilt so far this season: a dymanic backcourt that can score. Tech guards Beltran Rivers and Anthothy Fisher are averaging a combined 38.6 point a game. Theor offensive potency, coupled with a demonstrated inability to stop penetration, and defend aganist agile and effective scoring perimeter players, could spell trouble. Beyond the backcourt of Fisher and Rivers, Tech forward Amandi McKenzie is averaging close to a double-double this season, scoring 13.3 a contest and grabing 9.5 boards. As was the case in the Toledo game, containing two of these three players will be key. If these three are able to play off one another, Vanderbilt will lose.
Aganist Northwestern, the Golden Ealges shot 44% from behind the arc, and 48% from the floor. Vanderbilt, as has been discussed in this space before, will have to turn in a solid defensive performance if they are going to be successful tomorrow. If Tech is able to shoot the ball as effectively as they did aganist Northwestern, then the boys from Cookeville could very easily bounce the Commies from the tournament.
Today's win aganist UPR-M is indicative of very little. Vanderbilt had 6 players in double-digits and everyone played at least 15 minutes. I would be very surprised if that stat is duplicated this season.
Tennessee Tech is not a great team, but they do have an offensive formula that has spelled trouble for Vanderbilt so far this season: a dymanic backcourt that can score. Tech guards Beltran Rivers and Anthothy Fisher are averaging a combined 38.6 point a game. Theor offensive potency, coupled with a demonstrated inability to stop penetration, and defend aganist agile and effective scoring perimeter players, could spell trouble. Beyond the backcourt of Fisher and Rivers, Tech forward Amandi McKenzie is averaging close to a double-double this season, scoring 13.3 a contest and grabing 9.5 boards. As was the case in the Toledo game, containing two of these three players will be key. If these three are able to play off one another, Vanderbilt will lose.
Aganist Northwestern, the Golden Ealges shot 44% from behind the arc, and 48% from the floor. Vanderbilt, as has been discussed in this space before, will have to turn in a solid defensive performance if they are going to be successful tomorrow. If Tech is able to shoot the ball as effectively as they did aganist Northwestern, then the boys from Cookeville could very easily bounce the Commies from the tournament.
Today's win aganist UPR-M is indicative of very little. Vanderbilt had 6 players in double-digits and everyone played at least 15 minutes. I would be very surprised if that stat is duplicated this season.
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In case anyone was wondering, the picture included in this post is Shamas.
Damn I'm cute...
I was afraid Tech would win that game. You gotta know the boys from Cookeville will be gunning for a big upset over the Nash Vegans. Bobby makes a good point about TTU's offensive weapons. What really scares me about this team, though, is their experience. They start three juniors and two seniors, all of whom would love to look back on a season that included a win over the Commies. I hope Stallings had our players hang around to watch that game.
I can't begin to tell you how psyched I am for a such this dynamite match-up. TTU v Vandy...GLORIOUS!!
--The Good Doctor
The good doctor's copy is sloppy this morning. He's been at work since six.
Can't you figure out how to arrive by a name without stealing it from a Rivals site?
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