Can Vanderbilt Top Kentucky In SEC Championship?

Published: 10^th Mar 12 8:05 pm

by Paul Troupe
Paul Troupe

RANT It!

Can Vanderbilt Top Kentucky In SEC Championship?

Crystal LoGiudice-US PRESSWIRE

When the Kentucky Wildcats meet the Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC Championship game, it wil be exactly one month to the day the Wildcats knew they were lucky to not get upset by the Commodores. After another close call two weeks later, Vanderbilt knows they have what it takes to defeat the Wildcats, but can they?

I have to say that with a conference championship on the line for Vandy for the first time since 1951, I do not see why they cannot pull up the upset.

Take a look back to those two games against the Wildcats.

Give credit to Kentucky’s defense, but Vanderbilt shot only 26-63 and 23-63, a combined 38.9% shooting percentage. They were also 8-21 and 7-18 from behind the three point line, a combined percentage of 38.5%. For the season, the Commodores have shot 46.2%, well above what they have versus Kentucky.

Vanderbilt has some good outside shooters led by John Jenkins, Jeffery Taylor, and Brad Tinsley. The Commodores main focus will be rebounding, as the Wildcats pounded them on the glass in both games.

Where the Commodores have lost points is shots from inside the arc. Anthony Davis obviously plays a huge role in that, but the Commodores, if they had made a couple more baskets, could have won both of those games. It also did not help that they let Kentucky shoot nearly 50% in one game and over 57% in the other.

In any sport, it is hard to beat a team three times in one season. Kentucky is also going for not only the SEC title but a perfect SEC regular season and conference tournament, a feat that is among the best of all time.

Kentucky definitely has the advantage with height, depth, and shear athletic talent under John Calipari, but do not discount the Commodores. I really do believe that they are going to pull the upset tomorrow. Kentucky is not going to lose its number one seed regardless, they are just playing for pride.

The Wildcats handled the Florida Gators in their two regular season matchups, but struggled tonight, barely escaping the Gators. Florida had a decent look at the basket with 8 seconds left to tie it, but could have waited a few more to get an even better look to tie. Nonetheless, the Wildcats are moving on.

But tomorrow, they meet a Commodores squad hungry for that first titile in 61 years. You heard it here first, I believe the Commodores are going to win.

Follow Paul Troupe on Twitter @gamin4HIM