NASHVILLE – In a thrilling encounter on March 15, 2024, the No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores triumphed over the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide with a score of 96-90 in Memorial Gymnasium. The matchup showcased two of the nation’s top offensive teams, but Vanderbilt’s defensive strategy proved crucial in securing the victory.
High Expectations in a Clash of Titans
Entering the game, both teams were recognized for their offensive prowess. Alabama boasted an impressive average of 94.1 points per game, ranking seventh nationally, while Vanderbilt closely followed with 93.4 points per game, placing them tenth. According to data from kenpom.com, Vanderbilt ranked fourth in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, just behind Alabama, which held the second position. This set the stage for an anticipated high-scoring duel.
After the game, Vanderbilt Head Coach Mark Byington acknowledged the competitive nature of the matchup, stating, “Both teams are extremely competitive. I mean, [Alabama] fought every inch, and, you know, we went into the game saying, no lead is safe.” Byington’s insights reflected the intensity and high stakes of the encounter.
Foul Fest Impacts Game Dynamics
The game was marred by an unusually high number of fouls, with a Division One season-high of 62 fouls called. This constant whistle-blowing disrupted the rhythm of both teams. Byington noted how the officiating influenced their game plan: “If you drove the ball, you know, you’re going to get rewarded with the foul… we had to adjust to that.”
Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats also expressed frustration with the officiating, receiving a technical foul for his protests about the calls early in the second half. Despite the officiating challenges, both teams remained focused on their strategies to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Vanderbilt’s defense, ranked thirteenth in adjusted scoring defense according to kenpom.com, played a pivotal role in the victory. Byington praised his team’s defensive efforts, stating, “Stopping Alabama was a challenge… our defense was as good as it’s been, and that’s one of the hardest, probably, if not the hardest, team to stop in the country.”
Looking Ahead: SEC Challenges Continue
With this victory, Vanderbilt improved to 15-0 for the season and is now just one win away from matching the program record for the best start, previously set by the 2007-08 team at 16-0. Byington emphasized the depth of competition in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), remarking, “It’s the number one-ranked conference in the country.”
The Commodores will next host the LSU Tigers on Saturday at 12:00 PM CST. Byington reiterated the team’s focus, stating, “What we’re gonna do is try to go 1-0 in every game, whoever comes, we’re gonna try to beat them, and we’ve done it 15 times so far.” As Vanderbilt aims to extend its winning streak, the upcoming match against LSU presents another opportunity to solidify their place among the nation’s elite teams.
