"We felt like we left some games out there, winnable games for us," Stackhouse said. The Commodores played the fifth-toughest nonconference schedule in the SEC, according to the NET ratings. Vanderbilt is one of six SEC teams that picked up a Quadrant 1 nonconference win (a win over a top-30 team at home, top-50 at a neutral site or top-75 on the road) by beating BYU. Stackhouse maintained his position that playing a tougher nonconference schedule will help prepare the Commodores for what lies ahead in the SEC. Still, the Diamond Head Classic provided a foundation for the rest of SEC play. Players who are vaccinated and boosted, Stackhouse said, can return to play after five days instead of the previous 10. Stackhouse said his team has largely avoided issues - he noted some staff members had COVID issues in Hawaii and one player had to miss time due to the virus, though he did not elaborate. Many teams, including the Vanderbilt women, have had to cancel or postpone games amid a new wave of the virus. My mindset is that it's gonna be later if at all." "As far as how we ramp up over the next couple weeks it's kind of more for the doctors and the trainers to figure out," Stackhouse said. "My mindset is we have to prepare as if he's not gonna be there. Though Robbins is pain-free, according to Stackhouse, there is no timetable for his return. And fifth-year senior center Liam Robbins is still working back from a stress reaction in his foot. Chatman and sophomore guard Tyrin Lawrence have experienced knee soreness from prior injuries. Freshman guard Shane Dezonie hasn't been practicing due to a sprained ankle. Sophomore forward Jamaine Mann did not play in the tournament, and coach Jerry Stackhouse said Mann isn't quite back yet. The Razorbacks have won the last seven matchups and 11 of the past 12, especially dominating Vanderbilt in Fayetteville.īut the Commodores' injury woes aren't over yet. ![]() I think the BYU game last year and the year before that, we never would've won."Īfter a layoff of nearly two weeks, the Commodores will start their SEC slate at Arkansas (10-3) on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., SEC Network). "Having Rodney, you saw us having us full strength in Hawaii we were able to win games I don't think we would've won last year, especially the BYU game and as well as the Hawaii game, just having him in changes the whole game. "I think the reason our nonconference isn't how we expected it to be is because we also were missing Rodney (Chatman)," junior guard Scotty Pippen Jr. Prior to that, Vanderbilt beat Hawaii and BYU. The Commodores (8-4) took home the Diamond Head Classic trophy after their final opponent, Stanford, had to pull out due to COVID-19 issues. 23, 2021Īfter a somewhat frustrating nonconference schedule that included losses to SMU, Temple and VCU, Vanderbilt basketball is turning a new page in SEC play thanks to a successful Christmas tournament in Hawaii.
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