SEC Tournament Preview: Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M
By Matt Green
SEC Tournament: Round Two
(7) Vanderbilt vs. (10) Texas A&M
7:00 EST
The first game of the night session of the SEC Tournament on Thursday is between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Texas A&M Aggies.
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Vanderbilt (17-14, 10-8 in SEC) is the top three-point shooting team in the SEC. The Commodores make 9.9 threes per game while shooting 38 percent as a team from behind the arch.
Vanderbilt played one of the toughest schedules in the country this season, and is currently one of, Bracketologist, Joe Lunardi’s Last Four In.
Texas A&M (16-14, 8-10) has the third ranked scoring defense in the SEC, allowing 67.9 points per game. Texas A&M not only has one of the SEC’s best defenses, but also the SEC’s best defensive player, Robert Williams.
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Williams won SEC defensive player of the year, averaging 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.
The Commodores won each of the matchups with the Aggies this season. In the first game in College Station, Vanderbilt cruised to a 68-54 victory, while having five players score in double figures.
The second game in Nashville went back-and-forth. The Aggies had a chance to tie the game late, but Tonny Trocha-Morelos missed a three-point attempt with 15 seconds remaining. Riley LaChance knocked down two free throws to seal the 72-67 victory. Luke Kornet led Vanderbilt with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
This game will be played at a slow pace, since both of these teams are in the bottom four of the conference in shot attempts. The hometown advantage for Vanderbilt could play a factor, but a loss could take them from one of the last four in the Big Dance, to one of the first four out.
Vanderbilt Commodores: By the Numbers
- RPI: 45
- SOS: 3
- Record vs. RPI Top 50: 5-8
Texas A&M Aggies: By the Numbers
- RPI: 86
- SOS: 40
- Record vs. RPI Top 50: 2-12