“We Haven’t Gotten Close to Our Best Yet”: Shea Ralph on Vanderbilt’s Perfect Start
Vanderbilt is Focused on Being Better
The No. 5/4 Vanderbilt Commodores Women’s Basketball team are working with intent and purpose, one game at a time, in this historical run. Standing at 19-0 with quality wins on their résumé, Coach Ralph knows that they still have not played their best ball yet.
“And we haven’t even gotten close to, I think, the best that we can be, which is exciting for us,” Ralph said.
It is only January, and the Dores have passed all tests so far.
Fans and media often wonder how long an undefeated run will last, especially when you are in a conference like the SEC. All of that talk is for the spectators. Coach Shea Ralph and the Commodores are just worried about what is in front of them next, but first, themselves.
Shea Ralph spoke on that during media availability and spoke to how the overwhelming majority of their film session on Tuesday was studying themselves and what they could do better on the court.
“So 75% of our film session yesterday was us. And, you know, if we can fix the things that I’m seeing become kind of a theme in some of the struggles that we’re having, then it won’t matter who we play. That’s not to disrespect them. It’s just, I have to focus more on what we’re doing,” said Ralph.
“Otherwise, we’re constantly in preparation mode, and we’re not gonna get any better at the things that we need to do. Right? So instead of focusing on that, it is one day at a time, but it’s more like, these are the things we got to work on, and no matter who comes next, we’ll be better, and will be prepared.”
That was in response to a question asking how she makes sure the team is focused on what is in front of them and not looking down the road.
“We’re continuing to find ways to win, and they’re enjoying each other. They have great chemistry,” said Ralph. “We’re playing really well for a little bit and then we’re struggling for a little bit, and we’re still figuring out a way to win.”
The Commodores face a good Auburn team on Thursday night. The Tigers are coming off a week’s rest after beating a very good Alabama team.
I myself will be watching to see how Vanderbilt comes out. They have had a busy and tiring week, I’m sure, while Auburn has had the chance to catch a breath over the bye. If the Dores can come out and play with the intensity and full strength of their legs, I definitely like them in good measure.
Coach Ralph’s team has shown that they can weather some storms and find ways to win games. This team just keeps coming, and Mikayla Blakes is the best example of that mentality. Off game or not, she does not let it get her down, and neither does the rest of them.
During the Michigan game, we got a taste of March Madness situations. You see it all the time in tournament play. Teams jump out to a huge lead, and then you watch it evaporate. That is what happened Monday against Michigan, but the Commodores found a way and held on for the win. One big thing was the foul trouble that Mikayla Blakes and Justine Pissott were in.
With both having four fouls early in the fourth quarter, neither one fouled out. They found a way.
“We have to figure out how to play with foul trouble. So I trust those two, and I’m gonna have to give them some breaks,” Ralph explained. “I can’t play them like I would normally play them, but I also can’t sit people for long, long periods of time.”
That trust Ralph has in her players, combined with their ability to execute under pressure, is what makes this team special. They’re not perfect, and their coach will be the first to tell you that. But they’re resilient, they’re learning, and most importantly, they’re focused on getting better every single day.
Auburn presents another opportunity to prove that. The Tigers are athletic, they pressure on defense, and they rebound well. But if Vanderbilt sticks to Ralph’s formula of focusing on fixing their own issues first, the opponent becomes secondary. Control what you can control, trust your preparation, and let the results take care of themselves.
That’s how you stay undefeated in January. That’s how you build something sustainable for March.
