Kevin Stallings called last night's 99-59 win over the Mercer Bears, the "most complete game" they've played this season according to Jeff Lockridge in today's Tennessean. John Jenkins scored a career-high 17 points (a number that no one thinks will end up being his career high when it's all said and done). Jermaine Beal added 15 on 5-9 shooting and added 6 assists. The team shot an impressive 60% from the field, and 56% from downtown. 22 of the team's 35 baskets were assisted, and only 2 guys (Brad and Dolla) played over 20 minutes.
Some have criticized the 17 turnovers (not impressive) and 25 team fouls. I chalk that up to play getting sloppy down the stretch in a rout. Personally, I'm more concerned with the 65% free throw shooting, which certainly needs to improve.
This game was never in doubt. The team played loose, ran the kind of offensive sets Commodore fans have been anxious to see all season. Certainly, a good way to leave for Christmas for the team.
In football news, Jordan Rodgers, brother of the Green Bay Packers QB Aaron, has signed a letter of intent with the Commodores according to the Tennessean's Jeff Lockridge. Jordan will enter as a junior after playing the last two seasons at Butte (Calif.) College. Rodgers will begin classes in this spring allowing him to compete with Larry Smith for the starting job. For me, the most noteworthy part of the story is that the Commodores sought out Rodgers: "Rodgers never considered Vanderbilt until he got a call from the coaching staff expressing interest earlier this month. He took an official visit to Vanderbilt the weekend of Dec. 12-13 after a visit to Western Kentucky." Is this a sign that maybe the coaching staff doesn't think Larry is the guy?
Aside from Rodger's blood-line, this is big news because Vanderbilt that has only admitted one other junior college transfer for football in CBJ's eight-year tenure. Are the rules changing, or at least bending? Consider this story from the South Carolina daily The State, writing that "DB Kenny Ladler of Stone Mountain, GA canceled his official visit to South Carolina...when Vanderbilt informed him he will be allowed to enroll at mid-term." A few years back, Vanderbilt passed up the chance to sign J.P. Prince because he wanted to enroll mid-year. Prince has gone on to be successful at UT, sticking it to the Commodores on several occasions.
What do you think VSL Nation? Should Vanderbilt be taking JUCO's? Should we be allowing freshmen to enroll early? Should we be allowing mid-year transfers?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
If they are ready and in fact can make the grade, then absolutely we should take mid-year transfers and JUCOs. MANY teams use those athletes to fill holes with some guys that have experience. If the kids have ability and CAN make the grade at Vanderbilt's standards, then let 'em play.
Three words: JUCO Wide Receivers.
As long as they are qualified academically they should let in anyone. Plus Necessary Roughness was an awesome movie though I think he started in the fall.
I'm down with getting Bakula, provided Vandy has a astronomy professor who can block.
Post a Comment