Friday, February 2, 2007

VSL Hotline

Lady Commies win at the Buzzer (AP) on Dee Davis' drive to the basket with 1.6 seconds left, lifting the Vanderbilt ladies to a 63-62 win over Kentucky last night in Lexington. The girls are currently ranked #15 with a 19-4 (5-3) record. While I didn't watch the game, I am pretty stoked they won. The girls are currently 5th in the SEC and slated to be a #5 seed in Bracketology. If you want to know anything else about the women, ask Stanimal, this is really more his cup of tea than mine anyway.

In today's City Paper, Brett Hait writes that "No Time to Pout: Bulldogs Coming," as the Commies will host Georgia on Saturday night in Memorial. While a more complete preview of the game will be forthcoming, suffice it to say that this is a big one for both teams. Georgia and Vanderbilt are tied for 3rd in the SEC East at 5-3 and have both turned a lot of heads with their play in conference. A win by either, combined with a Kentucky loss at Arkansas, will catapult either to a tie for second in the SEC East (both of whom currently hold the tie-breaker over Kentucky).

Vanderbilt is looking to avenge their 85-73 loss in Athens, and is currently riding a 9-game home winning streak. While Vanderbilt's loss to Furman early in the season still haunts the Commies (SportingNews.COM) , Kevin Stallings has quieted his many critics by the team's recent turnaround (Nashville Tennessean). With the except of some questionable decision-making in the game against Florida, it is hard to argue that Stallings hasn't done a fantastic job with this team. They are finally starting to crash the boards and play an aggressive, physical brand of basketball not typically seen by the Vanderbilt fateful. As for the Furman loss, there is no doubt that it was a very bad loss, but for any pundit to say that it is a disqualifying loss is insane. If Vanderbilt can win the games they are supposed to (including Saturday's game against Georgia) they should be dancing in March. These next four games will be key as they are all against SEC East rivals. If Vanderbilt can manage to go 3-1 in their next four (vs. Georgia, @Tennessee, vs. South Carolina, vs. Florida) , they will all but assure themselves a spot in the field of 65.

Don't forget to make your picks for the Super Bowl Pick'em and to nominate a Hoser of the Week. Check back later for Stanimal's Georgia Preview.
OUT!

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