VSL Hotline: We're Still Here, Edition

You'll have to bare with the VSL Brain Trust in the coming days. One of us got a job, three of us are finishing law school, and all of us are still bitter that Butler is basking in what is rightfully Vanderbilt's glory as the "come from nowhere" team that made it to the Final Four. Still, there's Vanderbilt news to pass on, and far be it to deny our loyal readership from their daily Commodore fix.

The big news in Commodore sports is Vanderbilt's trip to #8 Florida for a 3-game series this weekend. Last week's SEC Player of the Week, Sonny Gray (4-2, 2.25 ERA) heads to the hill tonight, facing off against sophomore left-hander Alex Panteliodis (5-1, 2.03 ERA).

Vanderbilt has found ways to win all season, and the hope is they will be able to capitalize on the youth of the Gators starters, who are all sophomores (Panteliodis), or freshmen (Saturday's starter, LHP Brian Johnson (2-1, 3.42 ERA), and Sunday's starter RHP Hudson Randall (2-2, 5.00 ERA)). Vanderbilt didn't fair well on their last conference road-trip, losing 2-3 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa. With that said, Vanderbilt hasn't lost since Saturday of that Alabama series two weeks ago, and have won 8 straight headed to the Swamp. If Vanderbilt is able to win the series, it's likely Gray, and freshman Anthony Gomez (profiled in today's Tennessean) will likely be instrumental. Also, as David Boclair's piece in the Nashville City Paper makes plain, 5th-year Senior Andrew Giobbi might be the key to this series, since he's the one calling the pitches.

Gomez is tearing the cover off the ball in his first year, hitting .536 (30 for 56). If he had more plate appearances, he'd be first in batting in the conference. For a full run-down on what to expect this weekend, check out the Game Notes here. Also, Saturday and Sunday's games will be televised on SUN Sports. Oh yeah, did I mention these teams are tied for second in the SEC East, 1 game back of South Carolina?

In other news, Jeffery Taylor announced he was returning to Vanderbilt for another season. Jeff Lockridge's story in the Tennessean makes it seem as if this was really being considered (and perhaps it was), but I was personally never concerned about Taylor turning pro. He's not ready, if for no other reason than he hasn't proven he can hit outside jumpers. Call me crazy, but I think this announcement softens the ground for A.J.'s announcement in the coming days as to whether or not he'll turn pro.

Happy Good Friday, Passover, and Easter to all those in VSL Nation.

VSL Hotline: We Made it to Friday of the SEC Tournament, Edition

Jeff Lockridge has a story in the Tennessean about how the Commodores expect to play Saturday (and beyond).

The Nashville City Paper's David Boclair recaps Georgia's win over Arkansas and looks ahead to their match-up with Vanderbilt tonight.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution's Tim Tucker notes that Georgia's win in the opening round of the SEC Tournament was the team's first outside the State of Georgia.

Here's Joe Fisher's Friday Update from 104.5 The Zone, who says both Brad and Lance will play, and that the team is "as healthy as they've been all year."

VUCommodores.com's SEC Tournament Preview

We'll have updates throughout the day

VSL Hotline: Why Commodore Fans Should Fear an NBA Lock-Out, Edition

This nugget from the Louisville Courier-Journal that appeared in SI.com's Truth & Rumors Section noting that, with an NBA lock-out impending, Kentucky's much vaunted freshmen (and junior Patrick Patterson) all thought to be a lock to turn pro, might stay. Coach S.A.T. said: "With this (NBA) lockout looming, maybe they all come back." I for one, certainly hope not.

The Tennessean's Vanderbilt writer, Jeff Lockridge, has two pieces worth a gander in the Vanderbilt Insider. The first deals with Coach Stallings' thoughts on Jermaine Beal playing his last game at Memorial and some other thoughts, with the second stating that sophomore swingman Lance Goulbourne will miss Saturday's game with a foot injury.

SI.com's Stewart Mandel's Power Rankings has the Commodores as the 12th best team in America right now. I think his observations about Vanderbilt are basically right, I would only quibble with New Mexico appearing 5th in his rankings.

ESPN's resident Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has the Commodores currently slated as a #3 seed in the South region with #1 Syracuse, #2 Duke, and #4 Temple. Vanderbilt would open up in New Orleanes against Weber State (a team that beat #3 UNC as a #14 seed in 1999), and the winner of #11 Notre Dame and #6 Texas A&M. As Douglas James said yesterday, I would take this draw in a heartbeat. I don't think Duke is that good, the Aggies are the probably the weakest #6 seed in Lunardi's draw (Baylor being a close second). I think Vanderbilt, absent losing their next 2, is going to be a 3 seed, and I firmly believe a 2 seed is a possibility if they can get to the SEC Tournament finals, especially if New Mexico, Purdue, or Villanova get bounced in their conference tournaments. Based on Lunardi's bracket, I think the #3 seed in the best position to move up to the #2 line is Ohio State, although I would say that whoever advances to the Big East Championship Game is almost guaranteed no worse than a #2 seed.

South Carolina preview will be posted later today, MPRE preparation willing.

VSL Hotline

2 things to point out and 1 thing to look out for:

First, Jeff Lockridge has a story in today's Tennessean championing Vanderbilt's depth as a reason for the their early season success. Another story in the Tennessean worth a read is Nash Nance's reaffirmation of his commitment to Vanderbilt, despite a late recruiting push by the Volunteers. UT being unable to lure recruits from the SEC's "intramural squad" is sure to make those on Rocky Top worry.

I will be working up a pre-Auburn preview after class that I hope to have posted this afternoon.