48 games in; Commodores Finally Get Back to Even

Better late than never. Vanderbilt's 3-2 win tonight over Louisville was momentous on a lot of levels: first and foremost, it lifted the Commodores .500, a position they haven't been all season, after starting out the 2012 campaign 1-7.  Two, Vanderbilt won the inaugural "Battle of the Barrel," a new tradition started by two teams who have played some tremendous games against one another over the last several seasons. Third, and finally, Coach Tim Corbin won his 400th game as a Commodore.

There is work left to do. Vanderbilt has to travel to Baton Rogue this weekend to take on the mighty Tigers of LSU, currently the consensus #4 team in America, before finishing the season against Ole Miss at Hawkins Field. Short of winning the SEC Tournament, to make the NCAA Tournament, the Commodores will have to win 4 of their final 6, meaning either winning both series, or sweeping at least one. Vanderbilt isn't a lock for the SEC Tournament, but are currently in the field of 10 slated to play in Hoover over Memorial Day weekend.  The SEC tournament is a double-elimination affair, so if Vanderbilt does lace'em up at Regions Park at least 2 games over .500, the Commodores will need to win at least 3 games against tremendous competition over a 6-day stretch.  If Vanderbilt makes it to the weekend in Hoover, they've got a shot to make the NCAA's, but it would be nice if they could make the field of 64 and had some room breathe at the same time.  For a team that has had to claw its way back all season, it would be nice if they didn't head to Hoover fighting for survival.  On the other hand, its possible that at this point, Coach Corbin and his guys wouldn't want it any other way.