Commodores Set as the No. 4 Texas Comes to Memorial Gymnasium
No. 5 Vanderbilt Hosts No. 4 Texas: Who Takes It?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s a Thursday night top-five matchup inside of Memorial Gymnasium, as the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores host the No. 4 Texas Longhorns. Each team comes in with a 23-2 overall record, with Vanderbilt holding a half game lead in the SEC over Texas at 9-2.
On paper, this game looks about as close as their records state. However, Texas holds the top ranked total defense in the Southeastern Conference with 54.8 points allowed a game, and opponents have only shot 37.1 percent from the field with 28.8 percent from beyond the arc on them.
The Longhorns bring a challenging defense, led by Rori Harmon, who is the all-time steals leader in Texas Longhorns history with 353 career steals and averages three steals a game this season. Teammate Madison Booker also gets her hands in lanes and averages 2.4 steals per game.
That’s where Vanderbilt has to lock in and take care of the ball, which they have done a better job of the last couple of games, averaging eight turnovers in those contests. When I asked Coach Shea Ralph yesterday what the Commodores have done differently in preparation to cut down turnovers and play under pressure, here was her response.
“I think the biggest difference is the focus that our kids have had. I haven’t had to coach them, to bring their energy up. To stay focused, to be disciplined. So we’re able to get through things efficiently and quickly, and we’re both having a good time. Right? So we have to understand how important that is,” said Ralph.
She went on to speak on the culture of the Commodores team and their player-led character to fix issues.
“When you have a winning culture, when you have a locker room that runs itself, when you have a player-led team. And they show up like, no, we need to get this right. We have to prepare this way. Coach, what do you have next for us? Then you know, you’re going somewhere and that’s how my team has been.”
The Commodores have played with some different energy and intent over the last few games since their losses to South Carolina and Ole Miss. Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan have been that one-two punch as one of the best backcourts in the SEC and the country. Over the past couple of games, those two players have been an unstoppable duo, and tonight will be a great test for them to continue what they have started.
Texas’ versatility on the floor brings me to the Commodores’ need for disciplined defense. The Longhorns have options and can go inside and out. It will be key for the bigs and guards to stay out of foul trouble but assert their presence, especially in the paint.
That is key every night, but the Longhorns have great size, and how they use that could determine how the flow of this game goes. Senior Kyla Oldacre stands at 6’6″, averages 11.1 points per game with 6.8 rebounds, and Breya Cunningham uses her size well in the paint, averaging 8.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds. I will say that Vanderbilt has been able to offset the size and rebounding disadvantage in the last couple of games, due to great shooting and better care with the ball.
The Longhorns are active and don’t stand around much, and with a defense that thrives, they run well in transition. Players like Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton shine on the floor. They were the leading scorers in their 64-53 win over Kentucky, and of course you have Madison Booker and Rori Harmon, who didn’t shoot it much in that game but definitely can. Harmon is also the Longhorns’ career assists leader with 897, and averages 6.6 per game this season.
Where I really like Vanderbilt in this game is their three-point advantage and mid-range game. If the Dores can move it around and play smart ball with great shots like they did against Oklahoma, that can set this game apart. The big key is being able to get around Texas’ aggressive man defense, but as we have seen all season, Mikayla Blakes’ ability and mentality to drive and create contact could backfire on an aggressive Longhorns defense and possibly force some foul trouble.
For the outside shot, Vanderbilt has been able to catch and pop with the best of them, and that is where Justine Pissott, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, and lately Aga Makurat off the bench can really put their stamp on the game. With some separation and accuracy, Vanderbilt could set themselves up well tonight. It will be a good one.
Tonight’s stream begins at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ inside the ESPN app with Alex Gould and Shan Foster on the call. Fans can listen to Jake Lyman locally on 94.9 The Fan and the Vanderbilt Commodores app outside of Nashville.
Check back here at Mays Sports Media for postgame thoughts, and also follow along on X at @MaysSports.
Comments 1