Rocky Top Showdown
When Vanderbilt travels to Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Thursday night, all eyes will be watching as two one-loss teams battle for supremacy in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.
The game features two of the highest-scoring teams in the conference. Tennessee averages 87 points per game while Vanderbilt averages 86.
No. 13 Vanderbilt is fresh off its first loss – a 79-73 double-overtime setback against Kentucky.
“We’re obviously disappointed in the outcome of Saturday’s game,” Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said. “We’ve got a lot of progress to make if we’re going to go over and compete well at Tennessee. We need to make improvements in every area.”
Vanderbilt senior guard Shan Foster is No. 1 in the SEC in scoring. The Kenner native is averaging 20.6 points per game and is No. 12 in the nation in that category.
Tennessee senior guard JaJuan Smith is the reigning SEC Player of the Week after a 21-point outing against previously-undefeated Ole Miss. He also had 15 points and eight rebounds against South Carolina.
Kentucky knocks off Vandy
During non-conference play that included seven losses, many had begun to count Kentucky’s first-year coach Billy Gillispie’s team out.
That was until the Wildcats delivered No. 13 Vanderbilt its first loss of the season in a double-overtime thriller in Lexington, Ky.
The win gave Gillispie his first SEC victory of the season.
“Our team is tougher than people give it credit for,” Gillispie said. “Those guys have gone through a lot without a full complement of players and have developed mental toughness. It was a great boost of confidence to beat such a good team. Hopefully we move forward from beating such a good team and build upon it.”
Kentucky led by as many as 16-point lead against Vanderbilt but allowed a late surge by the Commodores to push the game into overtime.
Surprising Teams
Arkansas has started SEC play undefeated for the first time since 2002, and Mississippi State has started its conference play undefeated for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.
Ole Miss recently also had its school record 13-game unbeaten streak end during its first conference game against No. 6 Tennessee.
The No. 16 Rebels outscore their opponents by nearly 15 points per game and rank No. 3 in the conference in scoring, averaging 85 points per contest.
Mississippi State is currently riding a six-game win streak, including 20-plus point wins against LSU and Georgia.
The Bulldogs rank No. 4 nationally in blocked shots with 8.63 per game. In the win against Georgia, Mississippi State totaled 16 blocks.
Meanwhile, the Razorbacks have the opportunity to have a 3-0 record in the SEC for the first time in 10 seasons if they defeat South Carolina on Wednesday night.
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey acknowledged the chance, but said he is more concerned with things besides the team’s record.
“That’s not my focus.” Pelphrey said. “My concern is that they come out and understand what South Carolina is going to do, and what we need to do. This is the SEC. Every night you take the floor, there’s a chance you can lose.”
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Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]