NASHVILLE – In a thrilling encounter at Memorial Gymnasium, the No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the No. 13-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide with a final score of 96-90 on March 15, 2024. This matchup featured two of the nation’s elite offensive teams, both of which had established themselves as scoring powerhouses throughout the season.
Entering the game, Vanderbilt boasted an impressive record of 14-0, while Alabama stood at 11-3. The anticipation for this SEC clash was palpable, with both teams ranked near the top in offensive efficiency. According to kenpom.com, Vanderbilt was ranked fourth in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, just behind Alabama, which held the second spot. This matchup was expected to deliver high-scoring action, given that both teams were in the top ten for points-per-game in Division One basketball. Alabama averaged 94.1 PPG, ranking seventh nationally, while Vanderbilt followed closely with 93.4 PPG, placing tenth.
Fouls and Adjustments
The game saw a staggering total of 62 fouls called, setting a season high in Division One basketball. The heavy officiating required both teams to adjust their strategies. Vanderbilt Head Coach Mark Byington remarked on the impact of the officiating, stating, “If you drove the ball, you know, you’re going to get rewarded with the foul. We had to adjust to that, and then we wanted to change our strategy to put pressure on the rim.”
The officiating frustrations peaked when Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats received a technical foul midway through the second half for voicing his discontent about calls. Byington managed to keep his composure, avoiding a similar fate, while both coaches navigated a challenging atmosphere.
Defensive Excellence
Despite the offensive firepower, it was Vanderbilt’s defense that shone brightly during the matchup. Ranked thirteenth in adjusted scoring defense, the Commodores demonstrated their capability to contain Alabama’s high-scoring offense. Byington praised his team’s defensive effort, noting, “[Stopping Alabama] was a challenge. Our defense was as good as it’s been, and that’s one of the hardest teams to stop in the country.”
Oats also acknowledged Vanderbilt’s defensive prowess, stating, “They play really hard, they contest, they fly around. There’s a reason they’re as good as they are defensively.” This strong defensive performance, combined with Vanderbilt’s offensive intensity, proved crucial as they secured the victory, edging out Alabama in a closely contested game.
With this win, Vanderbilt improved to 15-0, positioning itself just one victory away from tying the program record for the best start to a season, a record set by the 2007-08 team at 16-0. Byington emphasized the significance of the SEC, stating, “It’s the number one-ranked conference in the country. What we’re going to do is try to go 1-0 in every game.”
The Commodores are set to face the LSU Tigers next, with the game scheduled for 12:00 PM CST on Saturday. As Vanderbilt continues its pursuit of a historic season, fans eagerly await another opportunity to see their team in action.
