Vanderbilt Basketball early starting five projection

It will be the first season for Mark Byington with the Vanderbilt Commodores. He has already gotten some key transfers and the team is looking much better. With a new system for the Commodores, how might their starting five look for the 2024-2025 season.

Meet the projected starting five for Vanderbilt Basketball in 2024-2025

Starting Point Guard: AJ Hoggard

AJ Hoggard is joining the Commodores after spending four seasons with Michigan State. The four star guard was a force for the Spartans as they made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, Hoggard averaged 10.7 points per game, which came from a field goal percentage of 40.7%, a three point percentage of 34.7%, and a free throw percentage of 78.7%. He also averaged 5.2 assists per game and a 3.1 rebounds per game. Defensively, he added 1.4 steals per game, which is solid.

Hoggard was a big get for the Commodores and will be a great veteran to lead this team. He is the expected starting point guard for this Vanderbilt team.

Starting Shooting Guard: Jason Edwards

Jason Edwards was another big get in the transfer portal from North Texas. He has played three collegiate seasons in his career, two in community college and one with North Texas.

Edwards led North Texas with 19.1 points per game, which came from a field goal percentage of 42.5%, a three point percentage of 35%, and a free throw percentage of 80.7%. He also averaged 1.4 assists per game and 2.4 rebounds per game. Defensively, he added less than one steal a game at .8.

This guard combo of Edwards and Hoggard is going to very tough to stop. Both are great scorers and will help lead the Commodores this season.

Starting Small Forward: Tyler Nickel

Tyler Nickel is a probable starter for Vanderbilt after transferring from Virginia Tech. He played one season with North Carolina before playing a season at Virginia Tech. His second time in the transfer portal landed him with Vanderbilt.

Nickel came off the bench a lot at Virginia Tech. Last season, Nickel averaged 8.8 points per game, which came from a field goal percentage of 43.8%, a three point percentage of 39.9%, and a free throw percentage of 82%. He also averaged 1.3 assists per game and 2.2 rebounds per game. He did not generate many turnovers on defense.

Nickel was a big rotation piece for Virginia Tech, but will likely be tested early as a starter with Vanderbilt.

Starting Power Forward: Devin McGlockton

Devin McGlockton is one of two big men on this team after transferring from Boston College. He spent two seasons in Boston. As a freshman he came off the bench and started in ten games. In his sophomore year, he started in all 36 games.

Last season, McGlockton averaged 10.2 points per game, which came from a 57.5% field goal percentage, a three point percentage of 36.7%, and a free throw percentage of 72.7%. He also averaged 1.3 assists per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Defensively, he averaged nearly a block per game at .8.

McGlockton was a big time impact player at Boston College and will do the same at Vanderbilt.

Starting Center: Kijani Wright

Kijani Wright is a big man from USC who is the expected starting center for Vanderbilt. He spent two seasons with USC, but did not start or see signifcant amounts of minutes.

Last season, Wright averaged 3.9 points per game, which came from a field goal percentage of 58.4% and a free throw percentage of 71.4%. He also averaged .4 assists per game and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Wright doesn't have a lot of experience in his career, but he is talented. It will be a big test for him to join the Commodores starting five.

How does the Vanderbilt starting five look for this upcoming season?

This team can definitely be dangerous if they get production from their big men. Their guards are elite scorers, but they can't just rely on them. Wright will need to prove himself early. Vanderbilt is a team to watch out for this season with a completely new team.