2007-08 Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 2007–08 Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball
team represented Vanderbilt University
in the 2007–08 college basketball
season. The team was led by head coach Kevin Stallings
and played home games at Memorial Gymnasium
.
The 2007–08 team finished the season 26–8, and ranked 25th in both the AP Poll
and the ESPN/USA Today (Coaches) poll
. Their 16–0 start was the best in school history. The team finished in 3rd place in the SEC Eastern Division with a 10–6 conference record.
During Selection Sunday, Vanderbilt received a #4 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
. They faced #13 seed Siena
in the first round on March 21, 2008. The Commodores were upset at a final score of 83–62, becoming the second #4 seed upset after UConn
's overtime loss to San Diego
.
and two-time defending national champion Florida
.
Vanderbilt lost two starters from last year's team—2007 SEC-player of the year Derrick Byars
(19.1 ppg) and shooting guard, Dan Cage (11.2 ppg) – and return three starters—swingman Shan Foster
, point guard Alex Gordon and power forward Ross Neltner.
Shan Foster was the Commodores' second leading scorer last season (15.6 ppg) and is the third leading returning scorer in the SEC. Foster was selected by the SEC media to the pre-season all-SEC second team. Alex Gordon had only 51 turnovers last season, tops among starting SEC point guards, and his 2.22-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was fourth best in the SEC. Neltner provided a versatile presence inside, averaging 5.7 rebounds per game, dishing out 74 assists and hitting 11-of-28 attempts from three-point range.
Sophomores Jermaine Beal and George Drake and freshman Keegan Bell are expected to compete for the shooting guard spot vacated by Cage. The Commodores appear set at center, where senior Alan Metcalfe and freshman Andrew (A.J.) Ogilvy
will share time. Metcalfe missed part of last season with a foot injury, while Ogilvy comes highly touted after spending four years at the Australian Institute of Sport
. Other newcomers expected to vie for playing time are guard Keegan Bell and forwards Andre Walker and Darshawn McClellan.
(1–1) 77–70. The Commodores beat Valparaiso
87–78 and Utah State
77–56 in the South Padre Island Shootout.
Game 5. Vanderbilt (5–0) defeated Bradley
(4–2) 95–86 in the championship game of the South Padre Island Shootout on November 24, 2007. A.J. Oglivy scored 23 points, and Shan Foster 22, to lead the Commodores. After the Commodores raced to an 18-point halftime lead (53–35), Bradley senior point guard Daniel Ruffin led the Braves back to within 85–84 late in the game. But Alex Gordon hit a 10-foot jump shot and sank four free throws in the final 30 seconds as the Commodores pulled away. Ruffin—the half-brother of former Indiana
All-American A.J. Guyton – finished with 23 points and 6 assists. Bradley (22–13 last season, MVC
: 10–8, 4th) was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference
this season by the league's coaches, media and sports information directors, behind unanimous first-place selection Southern Illinois
.
Game 6. Vanderbilt (6–0) defeated South Alabama
(4–3) 91–88 in double overtime on November 29, 2007. Shan Foster scored 26 points, as the Commodores rallied from a 59–51 deficit with 12:02 left. Andrew Oglivy had 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Ross Neltner added 15. Senior guard Demetric Bennett—a preseason All-Sun Belt first team selection—led the Jaguars with 25 points and reserve junior guard Domonic Tilford had 20. South Alabama was picked to finish second in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference
preseason media poll behind Western Kentucky
.
Game 7. Vanderbilt (7–0) beat Georgia Tech
(3–4) 92–79 on December 1, 2007. The Yellow Jackets led briefly 2–0, but Shan Foster hit a 3 to give the Commodores a lead they would not relinquish. Vanderbilt led by as many as 28 points in the second half before emptying its bench. Foster finished with 17 points, while Andrew Oglivy had 16 and Alan Metcalfe 15. Anthony Morrow, Tech's leading scorer, had only 2 points with 5 minutes to go, when Vandy led 86–58. He came into the game averaging 19.0 ppg. Georgia Tech was picked to finish seventh in the ACC
by the league's media.
Game 8. No. 23 Vanderbilt (8–0) (AP, No. 25 Coaches poll) remained perfect with a tight 83–80 win over Wake Forest
(5–2) on December 5, 2007. Shan Foster scored 26 points to go with 7 rebounds, and A.J. Oglivy scored 23, for the Commodores, who are 8–0 for only the fifth time ever. The game was close throughout, and neither team led by more than six points in the second half. Harvey Hale and James Johnson led Wake with 18 points apiece. The Demon Deacons (2006: 15–16, 5–11 (10th)) were picked to finish 11th by the ACC's
media.
Game 9. No. 23 Vanderbilt (9–0) (AP, No. 25 Coaches poll) used a fast start to defeat Lipscomb
(4–6) 90–67 on December 8, 2007. A.J. Oglivy scored a career-high 26 points, and Shan Foster had 21 for the Commodores, who raced out to an 18–4 lead and never led by less than 8 points after that.
Game 10. No. 20 Vanderbilt (10–0) (AP, No. 21 Coaches poll) rallied from an 18-point deficit early in the second half to beat DePaul
(2–4) 91–85 in overtime in Chicago
on December 12, 2007. With Shan Foster and A.J. Oglivy both struggling, the Commodores trailed 58–40 after Dar Tucker scored on an alley-opp dunk with 15:15 to go. Vanderbilt seemed to revive, finally tying the score at 79–79 with 22 seconds left. Foster and Oglivy, the SEC's top two leading scorers, each finished with 19 points.
Game 11. No. 17 Vanderbilt (11–0) (AP and Coaches polls) had to overcome a large second half deficit for the second game in a row, downing Tennessee State
(3–7) 83–74 on December 22, 2007. Playing after a 10-day break for exams, the Commodores trailed 56–47 with 11:53 to go. However, they stormed back with an 18–4 run to lead 65–60 with 7:33 left. Shan Foster had 22 points and Alex Gordon 16 for Vanderbilt, while Gerald Robinson led all scorers with 24 for the Tigers.
Game 12. No. 15 Vanderbilt (12–0) (AP and Coaches polls) beat UT Martin
(5–8) 92–85 on December 29, 2007. The Commodores jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first half. However, Vandy's starters let UTM go on a 10–0 to start the 2nd half, even losing the lead at one point. Shan Foster hit a 3-pointer with the score tied at 83, and the Dores never trailed after that. A.J. Ogilvy led Vanderbilt with 21 points and just missed a double-double with 9 rebounds. UT-Martin's Lester Hudson (3rd in NCAA in ppg) led all scorers with 36 points.
Game 13. No. 15 Vanderbilt (13–0) (AP and Coaches polls) set a season high for points scored during a 97–73 rout of Iona
(5–9) on December 29, 2007. The Commodores achieved their best ever start, bettering a 12–0 start in 2003–04. After trading baskets for much of the first half, the Commodores built a 5-point lead at halftime. Unlike their previous game, the Commodores went on a 26–5 run to start the second half, putting the game out of reach and allowing the walk-on players to get some playing time. Vanderbilt continued to display a lax defense, but more than made up for it by shooting 56% from the floor and 55% from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt had four players in double figures, led by A.J. Ogilvy (who again just missed a double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds) and Shan Foster (20 points).
Game 14. No. 15 Vanderbilt (14–0) (AP and Coaches polls) put together a solid effort in beating Rice
(3–9) 76–58 on January 3, 2008. The Commodores used a stifling defense to take control of the game from the onset, forcing a season-high 24 turnovers. Shan Foster netted 24 points, while A.J. Ogilvy added 14 points and 9 rebounds and Alex Gordon had 11 points.
Game 15. No. 15 Vanderbilt (15–0) (AP and Coaches polls) overcame deficits of 9 and 14 points to beat Massachusetts
(11–3) 97–88 on January 5, 2008, tying a season high for points scored. Vandy was led by senior guard Shan Foster, who scored 32 points and hit 8 3-pointers, and freshman center A.J. Ogilvy, who notched a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Jermaine Beal added a career-high 15 points for the Commodores. Ricky Harris led the Minutemen with 25 points.
Game 16. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–0, 1–0) (AP, No. 12 Coaches polls) won its SEC opener by beating South Carolina
(8–7, 0–1) by a score of 80–73 on January 9, 2008. Vanderbilt was led by freshman sensation A.J. Ogilvy with 25 points, while seniors Alex Gordon and Shan Foster had 13 points apiece. The Gamecocks were led by Devan Downey, who had 22 points. After hitting a 3-pointer in the game, Shan Foster became the Commodores' all-time leading 3-point shooter.
Game 17. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–1, 1–1) (AP, No. 12 Coaches poll) lost its first game of the season, 79–73 in double-overtime to Kentucky
(7–7, 1–0) at Rupp Arena
. The loss snapped the Commodores' 4-game winning streak against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt entered the game as one of five remaining unbeaten teams in men's Division I basketball. Kentucky controlled most of the game, taking a 16-point lead five minutes into the second half. The Commodores, who never led in regulation, tied the game on a three-pointer by Shan Foster with 14 seconds left to force overtime. The teams traded leads in the first overtime, but Vandy needed an A.J. Ogilvy-putback with 1.8 seconds left to force a second overtime. The Wildcats outscored Vanderbilt 7–1 in the second overtime to win the game. Patrick Patterson
led the Wildcats with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Ramel Bradley
added 20 points and Joe Crawford 17. The Commodores were led by Foster's 20 points and Ogilvy's 16 points and 5 rebounds.
Game 18. No. 16 Vanderbilt (16–2, 1–2) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) lost 80–60 to No. 6 Tennessee (15–1, 3–0) (AP, No. 7 Coaches poll) in Knoxville, TN
, its second loss in a row. The Vols held the Commodores well below their season scoring average (86.0 ppg) and limited them to 3 three-pointers. Vanderbilt stayed close for about 11 minutes, but a 16–3 run gave Tennessee a 33–18 lead with 3:59 left in the first half. After halftime, the Vols used a 17–6 run to take a 59–38 lead, but the Commodores responded with a 15–2 run to make it 61–53 with 7:48 to go. They would get no closer. Wayne Chism led the Vols with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Shan Foster led the Commodores with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Game 19. No. 16 Vanderbilt (17–2, 2–2) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) defeated LSU
(7–11, 0–4) 92–76, ending a two-game losing skid.
Game 20. After an eight-day layoff, No. 14 Vanderbilt (17–3, 2–3) (AP, No. 13 Coaches poll) lost 86–64 to Florida
(18–3, 5–1) in Gainesville
. The Gators went on a 23–0 run early in the first half to put the game out of reach early.
Game 21. No. 19 Vanderbilt (17–4, 2–4) (AP, No. 18 Coaches poll) lost 74–58 to No. 24 Ole Miss
(16–3, 3–4) (AP, No. 22 Coaches poll) in Oxford, Mississippi
, its fourth consecutive road loss in SEC play.
Game 22. After losing four of their last five games, No. 19 Vanderbilt (18–4, 3–4) (AP, No. 18 Coaches poll) defeated Auburn
(12–8, 2–5) 78–71.
Game 23. No. 23 Vanderbilt (19–4, 4–4) (AP, No. 20 Coaches poll) picked up an important road win in SEC play, defeating Georgia
(11–9, 2–5) in Athens
by a score of 67–59.
Game 24. No. 23 Vanderbilt (20–4, 5–4) (AP, No. 20 Coaches poll) traveled to Columbia, South Carolina
to take on South Carolina
(11–10, 3–4) on Saturday, February 9, 2008. The Commodores defeated the Gamecocks for the second time this season with a score of 66–65 as sophomore Jermaine Beal hit a short fadeaway jumper with 0.6 seconds left.
Game 25. No. 24 Vanderbilt (21–4, 6–4) (AP, No. 19 Coaches poll) were at home in Memorial Gymnasium to face the Kentucky Wildcats
(12–10, 6–3). Kentucky suffered their worst defeat in 21 years, and their worst SEC defeat ever, as they fell to the Commodores at a final score of 93–52. Shan Foster
scored 20 points and A. J. Ogilvy added another 19 for Vanderbilt.
Game 26. No. 24 Vanderbilt (22–4, 7–4) (AP, No. 19 Coaches poll) hosted the Florida Gators
(19–7, 6–5), who defeated the Commodores in Gainesville earlier in the season. The Commodores won 61–58 as Alex Gordon made four free throws in the final 24 seconds; Florida freshman Nick Calethas also committed a costly backcourt violation in the closing seconds. Alex Gordon and A.J. Ogilvy each scored 12 points and Shan Foster added 19 points and 6 rebounds.
Game 27. No. 20 Vanderbilt (23–4, 8–4) (AP, No. 16 Coaches poll), for the third straight game, were at home at Memorial Gymnasium as they faced the Georgia Bulldogs
(12–13, 3–9), who they had defeated just a few weeks earlier in Athens
. The Bulldogs led 38–37 at halftime, but Vanderbilt stormed out of the gates in the second half as they opened on a 29–11 run. The Commodores won the game at a final score of 86–74 with 29 points from Shan Foster and 23 points from Alex Gordon.
Game 28. No. 18 Vanderbilt (24–4, 9–4) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) faced their toughest test of the season as they hosted in-state rivals No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (25–3, 11–2) (AP and coaches polls). Shan Foster contributed 32 points and Jermaine Beal scored 17. With 1.8 seconds left, Tennessee threw a shot downcourt to force overtime but it was not close, and the Commodores defeated their rivals at a final score of 72–69.
Game 29. No. 18 Vanderbilt (24–5, 9–5) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) traveled to Fayetteville, AR to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks
(19–9, 8–6). Although Shan Foster scored 22 points, becoming Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer in the process, the Commodores fell to the Razorbacks 78–73. Down by 1 point with under 10 seconds to play and no timeouts left, Vanderbilt senior Ross Neltner called for a timeout, receiving a technical foul that sealed the win for the Razorbacks.
Game 30. No. 16 Vanderbilt (25–5, 10–5) (AP and coaches' polls) hosted Mississippi State
(No. 25 coaches' poll) for their final home game of the season. On senior night, Shan Foster hit his final nine three-pointers and amassed a career high of 42 points, as Vanderbilt defeated the Bulldogs 86–85 in overtime. With the victory, Vanderbilt finished the season undefeated at home in Memorial Gym.
Game 31. No. 16 Vanderbilt (25–6, 10–6) (AP and coaches' polls) were at Coleman Coliseum
to face Alabama in the final game of the season for both sides. Vanderbilt shot .280 percent from behind the arc. Though Shan Foster scored 21 points and A.J. Ogily added another 17, the Commodores fell to the Tide 78–73 in overtime. Alabama guard Mykal Riley scored 26 points, including the first 13 points for the Tide in overtime.
to face Auburn
(14–16) in a first-round matchup. Behind a career-high 27 points from A.J. Ogilvy and 26 points from Shan Foster, Vanderbilt beat the Tigers 93–82 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Game 33. No. 18 Vanderbilt (26–7) (AP, No. 17 coaches' poll) faced off against Arkansas
in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal matchup. The Razorbacks extended their win streak to five games over the Commodores by dominating the rebounds and points in the paint. Vanderbilt senior Alex Gordon led all scorers with 22 points in the loss.
Saints. In his final collegiate game, Shan Foster
scored just 13 points and was 1-for-5 from three-point range. The Commodores struggled to find consistent offense, going 4-for-20 from beyond the arc. Siena guard Kenny Hasbrouck scored 30 points to lead the Saints to an 83–62 upset of the #4 seeded Commodores.
1 Reshirted this season.
2 Walk-on.
Stats through 33 games. Source: ESPN.com
* Opponent rankings are those of the Associated Press Poll at the time the game was played.
Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball
The Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team represents Vanderbilt University in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference . The Commodores have won three SEC regular season titles . They have competed in ten NCAA Tournaments, making it to the Elite Eight once and the Sweet 16 six times...
team represented Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in the 2007–08 college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
season. The team was led by head coach Kevin Stallings
Kevin Stallings
Kevin Stallings is currently in his 11th season as the head men’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt University. Previously, he served as head coach at Illinois State University and was an assistant coach at Purdue University and the University of Kansas.-High school & college:Stallings was born in...
and played home games at Memorial Gymnasium
Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University)
Memorial Gymnasium is a multi-purpose facility located in Nashville, Tennessee. Usually called Memorial Gym or simply Memorial, the building is located on the western end of the Vanderbilt University campus. It was built in 1952 and currently has a seating capacity of 14,316...
.
The 2007–08 team finished the season 26–8, and ranked 25th in both the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and the ESPN/USA Today (Coaches) poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
. Their 16–0 start was the best in school history. The team finished in 3rd place in the SEC Eastern Division with a 10–6 conference record.
During Selection Sunday, Vanderbilt received a #4 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
. They faced #13 seed Siena
Siena Saints men's basketball
The Siena Saints men's basketball team represents Siena College in Loudonville, New York, United States. The Division I program competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Saints are coached by Mitch Buonaguro who just completed his first season as head coach at Siena after serving as...
in the first round on March 21, 2008. The Commodores were upset at a final score of 83–62, becoming the second #4 seed upset after UConn
2007-08 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team
The 2007–08 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Huskies men's basketball program in the 2007–08 college basketball season. Coached by Jim Calhoun, they played their home games at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and Harry A...
's overtime loss to San Diego
San Diego Toreros men's basketball
The San Diego Toreros basketball team is the basketball team that represent the University of San Diego in San Diego, California. The school's team currently competes in the West Coast Conference. The team played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008.-NCAA tournament...
.
Preseason outlook
Entering the season, Vanderbilt was picked by the media attending the SEC's media days in October to finish 4th in the SEC East, behind Tennessee, KentuckyKentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
and two-time defending national champion Florida
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
.
Vanderbilt lost two starters from last year's team—2007 SEC-player of the year Derrick Byars
Derrick Byars
Derrick JaVaughn Byars is an American professional basketball player for the Pro A team Cholet Basket. Collegiality, he played for Virginia, and later for Vanderbilt...
(19.1 ppg) and shooting guard, Dan Cage (11.2 ppg) – and return three starters—swingman Shan Foster
Shan Foster
Shan Donte Foster is an American professional basketball player. Foster played shooting guard for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University. He is the school's all-time leader in both points and three-point baskets made, and is also among the Southeastern Conference's...
, point guard Alex Gordon and power forward Ross Neltner.
Shan Foster was the Commodores' second leading scorer last season (15.6 ppg) and is the third leading returning scorer in the SEC. Foster was selected by the SEC media to the pre-season all-SEC second team. Alex Gordon had only 51 turnovers last season, tops among starting SEC point guards, and his 2.22-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was fourth best in the SEC. Neltner provided a versatile presence inside, averaging 5.7 rebounds per game, dishing out 74 assists and hitting 11-of-28 attempts from three-point range.
Sophomores Jermaine Beal and George Drake and freshman Keegan Bell are expected to compete for the shooting guard spot vacated by Cage. The Commodores appear set at center, where senior Alan Metcalfe and freshman Andrew (A.J.) Ogilvy
Andrew Ogilvy
Andrew James "A.J." Ogilvy is an Australian basketball player currently with Power Electronics Valencia. He was also the starting center for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. On 8 April 2010, Ogilvy announced that he was making...
will share time. Metcalfe missed part of last season with a foot injury, while Ogilvy comes highly touted after spending four years at the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
. Other newcomers expected to vie for playing time are guard Keegan Bell and forwards Andre Walker and Darshawn McClellan.
Regular Season
Games 1–4. Vanderbilt (4–0) began its season with an 81–67 home win over Austin Peay (0–1), then won at ToledoToledo Rockets
The Toledo Rockets are the athletic teams that represent the University of Toledo. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play in the Mid-American Conference . The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.Toledo's...
(1–1) 77–70. The Commodores beat Valparaiso
Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball
The Valparaiso Crusaders Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004. The Crusaders are currently...
87–78 and Utah State
Utah State Aggies
The Utah State Aggies are the athletics teams of Utah State University. The school fields men's varsity teams in basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. Women's varsity teams include basketball, cross country, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field,...
77–56 in the South Padre Island Shootout.
Game 5. Vanderbilt (5–0) defeated Bradley
Bradley University
Bradley University, founded in 1897, is a private, co-educational university located in Peoria, Illinois. It is a small institution with an enrollment of approximately 6,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students and a full-time faculty of approximately 350....
(4–2) 95–86 in the championship game of the South Padre Island Shootout on November 24, 2007. A.J. Oglivy scored 23 points, and Shan Foster 22, to lead the Commodores. After the Commodores raced to an 18-point halftime lead (53–35), Bradley senior point guard Daniel Ruffin led the Braves back to within 85–84 late in the game. But Alex Gordon hit a 10-foot jump shot and sank four free throws in the final 30 seconds as the Commodores pulled away. Ruffin—the half-brother of former Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
All-American A.J. Guyton – finished with 23 points and 6 assists. Bradley (22–13 last season, MVC
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
: 10–8, 4th) was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
this season by the league's coaches, media and sports information directors, behind unanimous first-place selection Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois Salukis
The Southern Illinois Salukis are the varsity athletic teams representing Southern Illinois University. The nickname comes from the saluki, the royal dog of Egypt and the Persian greyhound, which ties into the fact that southern Illinois has had the nickname "Little Egypt" for just under 200...
.
Game 6. Vanderbilt (6–0) defeated South Alabama
South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball
The South Alabama Jaguars basketball program has competed in the Sun Belt Conference since 1978 when the league was formed. In their 42 year history, the Jaguars have compiled an overall record of 694-507 . Ronnie Arrow returned as head coach in 2007, succeeding John Pelphrey after the 2006-07 season...
(4–3) 91–88 in double overtime on November 29, 2007. Shan Foster scored 26 points, as the Commodores rallied from a 59–51 deficit with 12:02 left. Andrew Oglivy had 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Ross Neltner added 15. Senior guard Demetric Bennett—a preseason All-Sun Belt first team selection—led the Jaguars with 25 points and reserve junior guard Domonic Tilford had 20. South Alabama was picked to finish second in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
preseason media poll behind Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
.
Game 7. Vanderbilt (7–0) beat Georgia Tech
2007-08 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team
The 2007–08 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team plays basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In 2006-07, they went 20-12 . Georgia Institute of Technology's basketball program is one of the most popular and successful college basketball programs in the nation...
(3–4) 92–79 on December 1, 2007. The Yellow Jackets led briefly 2–0, but Shan Foster hit a 3 to give the Commodores a lead they would not relinquish. Vanderbilt led by as many as 28 points in the second half before emptying its bench. Foster finished with 17 points, while Andrew Oglivy had 16 and Alan Metcalfe 15. Anthony Morrow, Tech's leading scorer, had only 2 points with 5 minutes to go, when Vandy led 86–58. He came into the game averaging 19.0 ppg. Georgia Tech was picked to finish seventh in the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
by the league's media.
Game 8. No. 23 Vanderbilt (8–0) (AP, No. 25 Coaches poll) remained perfect with a tight 83–80 win over Wake Forest
2007-08 Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team
The 2007–08 Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team is a NCAA Division I college basketball team who competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This was the first season under new head coach Dino Gaudio, who replaced former coach Skip Prosser, who died in the off-season...
(5–2) on December 5, 2007. Shan Foster scored 26 points to go with 7 rebounds, and A.J. Oglivy scored 23, for the Commodores, who are 8–0 for only the fifth time ever. The game was close throughout, and neither team led by more than six points in the second half. Harvey Hale and James Johnson led Wake with 18 points apiece. The Demon Deacons (2006: 15–16, 5–11 (10th)) were picked to finish 11th by the ACC's
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
media.
Game 9. No. 23 Vanderbilt (9–0) (AP, No. 25 Coaches poll) used a fast start to defeat Lipscomb
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville between Belmont Boulevard to the west and Granny White Pike on the east...
(4–6) 90–67 on December 8, 2007. A.J. Oglivy scored a career-high 26 points, and Shan Foster had 21 for the Commodores, who raced out to an 18–4 lead and never led by less than 8 points after that.
Game 10. No. 20 Vanderbilt (10–0) (AP, No. 21 Coaches poll) rallied from an 18-point deficit early in the second half to beat DePaul
DePaul Blue Demons
The DePaul Blue Demons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of DePaul University, located in Chicago Illinois. The Blue Demons participate in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big East Conference....
(2–4) 91–85 in overtime in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
on December 12, 2007. With Shan Foster and A.J. Oglivy both struggling, the Commodores trailed 58–40 after Dar Tucker scored on an alley-opp dunk with 15:15 to go. Vanderbilt seemed to revive, finally tying the score at 79–79 with 22 seconds left. Foster and Oglivy, the SEC's top two leading scorers, each finished with 19 points.
Game 11. No. 17 Vanderbilt (11–0) (AP and Coaches polls) had to overcome a large second half deficit for the second game in a row, downing Tennessee State
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
(3–7) 83–74 on December 22, 2007. Playing after a 10-day break for exams, the Commodores trailed 56–47 with 11:53 to go. However, they stormed back with an 18–4 run to lead 65–60 with 7:33 left. Shan Foster had 22 points and Alex Gordon 16 for Vanderbilt, while Gerald Robinson led all scorers with 24 for the Tigers.
Game 12. No. 15 Vanderbilt (12–0) (AP and Coaches polls) beat UT Martin
University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin is a campus in the University of Tennessee system. Other campuses include the flagship campus in Knoxville, the Chattanooga campus, the Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, and the Space Institute in Tullahoma...
(5–8) 92–85 on December 29, 2007. The Commodores jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first half. However, Vandy's starters let UTM go on a 10–0 to start the 2nd half, even losing the lead at one point. Shan Foster hit a 3-pointer with the score tied at 83, and the Dores never trailed after that. A.J. Ogilvy led Vanderbilt with 21 points and just missed a double-double with 9 rebounds. UT-Martin's Lester Hudson (3rd in NCAA in ppg) led all scorers with 36 points.
Game 13. No. 15 Vanderbilt (13–0) (AP and Coaches polls) set a season high for points scored during a 97–73 rout of Iona
Iona College (New York)
Iona College is located in New Rochelle, New York, 20 miles north of Manhattan in suburban Westchester County. The college occupies 35 acres on North Ave. The college also operates a Graduate Center in Pearl River, Rockland County, New York....
(5–9) on December 29, 2007. The Commodores achieved their best ever start, bettering a 12–0 start in 2003–04. After trading baskets for much of the first half, the Commodores built a 5-point lead at halftime. Unlike their previous game, the Commodores went on a 26–5 run to start the second half, putting the game out of reach and allowing the walk-on players to get some playing time. Vanderbilt continued to display a lax defense, but more than made up for it by shooting 56% from the floor and 55% from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt had four players in double figures, led by A.J. Ogilvy (who again just missed a double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds) and Shan Foster (20 points).
Game 14. No. 15 Vanderbilt (14–0) (AP and Coaches polls) put together a solid effort in beating Rice
Rice Owls
The Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest.Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics and is part of Conference USA. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic...
(3–9) 76–58 on January 3, 2008. The Commodores used a stifling defense to take control of the game from the onset, forcing a season-high 24 turnovers. Shan Foster netted 24 points, while A.J. Ogilvy added 14 points and 9 rebounds and Alex Gordon had 11 points.
Game 15. No. 15 Vanderbilt (15–0) (AP and Coaches polls) overcame deficits of 9 and 14 points to beat Massachusetts
UMass Minutemen
The UMass Minutemen are the athletic teams that represent the University of Massachusetts Amherst in NCAA Division I sports competition. The nickname is also applied to club teams that do not participate within the NCAA structure. Strictly speaking, the Minutemen nickname applies to men's teams and...
(11–3) 97–88 on January 5, 2008, tying a season high for points scored. Vandy was led by senior guard Shan Foster, who scored 32 points and hit 8 3-pointers, and freshman center A.J. Ogilvy, who notched a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Jermaine Beal added a career-high 15 points for the Commodores. Ricky Harris led the Minutemen with 25 points.
Game 16. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–0, 1–0) (AP, No. 12 Coaches polls) won its SEC opener by beating South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
(8–7, 0–1) by a score of 80–73 on January 9, 2008. Vanderbilt was led by freshman sensation A.J. Ogilvy with 25 points, while seniors Alex Gordon and Shan Foster had 13 points apiece. The Gamecocks were led by Devan Downey, who had 22 points. After hitting a 3-pointer in the game, Shan Foster became the Commodores' all-time leading 3-point shooter.
Game 17. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–1, 1–1) (AP, No. 12 Coaches poll) lost its first game of the season, 79–73 in double-overtime to Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
(7–7, 1–0) at Rupp Arena
Rupp Arena
Rupp Arena is an arena located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. Since its opening in 1976, it has been the centerpiece of Lexington Center, a convention and shopping facility owned by an arm of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and serves as home court to the University of...
. The loss snapped the Commodores' 4-game winning streak against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt entered the game as one of five remaining unbeaten teams in men's Division I basketball. Kentucky controlled most of the game, taking a 16-point lead five minutes into the second half. The Commodores, who never led in regulation, tied the game on a three-pointer by Shan Foster with 14 seconds left to force overtime. The teams traded leads in the first overtime, but Vandy needed an A.J. Ogilvy-putback with 1.8 seconds left to force a second overtime. The Wildcats outscored Vanderbilt 7–1 in the second overtime to win the game. Patrick Patterson
Patrick Patterson (basketball)
Patrick Davell Patterson is an American basketball player with the Houston Rockets. He played collegiately for the University of Kentucky. He is a 6'9", 235-pound power forward who grew up in Huntington, West Virginia...
led the Wildcats with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Ramel Bradley
Ramel Bradley
Ramel Bradley is a former American college basketball point guard for the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team currently playing for Maccabi Ashdod.-High school:...
added 20 points and Joe Crawford 17. The Commodores were led by Foster's 20 points and Ogilvy's 16 points and 5 rebounds.
Game 18. No. 16 Vanderbilt (16–2, 1–2) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) lost 80–60 to No. 6 Tennessee (15–1, 3–0) (AP, No. 7 Coaches poll) in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, its second loss in a row. The Vols held the Commodores well below their season scoring average (86.0 ppg) and limited them to 3 three-pointers. Vanderbilt stayed close for about 11 minutes, but a 16–3 run gave Tennessee a 33–18 lead with 3:59 left in the first half. After halftime, the Vols used a 17–6 run to take a 59–38 lead, but the Commodores responded with a 15–2 run to make it 61–53 with 7:48 to go. They would get no closer. Wayne Chism led the Vols with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Shan Foster led the Commodores with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Game 19. No. 16 Vanderbilt (17–2, 2–2) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) defeated LSU
LSU Tigers basketball
The Louisiana State Tigers basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The team is currently coached by Trent Johnson and has enjoyed recent success, including a Final Four run in the 2005–2006 season. Past coaches include John Brady, Press...
(7–11, 0–4) 92–76, ending a two-game losing skid.
Game 20. After an eight-day layoff, No. 14 Vanderbilt (17–3, 2–3) (AP, No. 13 Coaches poll) lost 86–64 to Florida
2007-08 Florida Gators men's basketball team
The 2007–08 Florida Gators men's basketball team represented the University of Florida in the sport of basketball during the 2007–08 college basketball season. The Gators competed in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern...
(18–3, 5–1) in Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
. The Gators went on a 23–0 run early in the first half to put the game out of reach early.
Game 21. No. 19 Vanderbilt (17–4, 2–4) (AP, No. 18 Coaches poll) lost 74–58 to No. 24 Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...
(16–3, 3–4) (AP, No. 22 Coaches poll) in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
, its fourth consecutive road loss in SEC play.
Game 22. After losing four of their last five games, No. 19 Vanderbilt (18–4, 3–4) (AP, No. 18 Coaches poll) defeated Auburn
Auburn Tigers men's basketball
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball program is the college basketball program that represents Auburn University, competing in the Southeastern Conference. The program began in 1905. Though they generally play under the shadow of the football program, the Tigers have had successes on the hardwood...
(12–8, 2–5) 78–71.
Game 23. No. 23 Vanderbilt (19–4, 4–4) (AP, No. 20 Coaches poll) picked up an important road win in SEC play, defeating Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
(11–9, 2–5) in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
by a score of 67–59.
Game 24. No. 23 Vanderbilt (20–4, 5–4) (AP, No. 20 Coaches poll) traveled to Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
to take on South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
(11–10, 3–4) on Saturday, February 9, 2008. The Commodores defeated the Gamecocks for the second time this season with a score of 66–65 as sophomore Jermaine Beal hit a short fadeaway jumper with 0.6 seconds left.
Game 25. No. 24 Vanderbilt (21–4, 6–4) (AP, No. 19 Coaches poll) were at home in Memorial Gymnasium to face the Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
(12–10, 6–3). Kentucky suffered their worst defeat in 21 years, and their worst SEC defeat ever, as they fell to the Commodores at a final score of 93–52. Shan Foster
Shan Foster
Shan Donte Foster is an American professional basketball player. Foster played shooting guard for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University. He is the school's all-time leader in both points and three-point baskets made, and is also among the Southeastern Conference's...
scored 20 points and A. J. Ogilvy added another 19 for Vanderbilt.
Game 26. No. 24 Vanderbilt (22–4, 7–4) (AP, No. 19 Coaches poll) hosted the Florida Gators
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
(19–7, 6–5), who defeated the Commodores in Gainesville earlier in the season. The Commodores won 61–58 as Alex Gordon made four free throws in the final 24 seconds; Florida freshman Nick Calethas also committed a costly backcourt violation in the closing seconds. Alex Gordon and A.J. Ogilvy each scored 12 points and Shan Foster added 19 points and 6 rebounds.
Game 27. No. 20 Vanderbilt (23–4, 8–4) (AP, No. 16 Coaches poll), for the third straight game, were at home at Memorial Gymnasium as they faced the Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
(12–13, 3–9), who they had defeated just a few weeks earlier in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. The Bulldogs led 38–37 at halftime, but Vanderbilt stormed out of the gates in the second half as they opened on a 29–11 run. The Commodores won the game at a final score of 86–74 with 29 points from Shan Foster and 23 points from Alex Gordon.
Game 28. No. 18 Vanderbilt (24–4, 9–4) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) faced their toughest test of the season as they hosted in-state rivals No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (25–3, 11–2) (AP and coaches polls). Shan Foster contributed 32 points and Jermaine Beal scored 17. With 1.8 seconds left, Tennessee threw a shot downcourt to force overtime but it was not close, and the Commodores defeated their rivals at a final score of 72–69.
Game 29. No. 18 Vanderbilt (24–5, 9–5) (AP, No. 14 Coaches poll) traveled to Fayetteville, AR to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball
The Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team represents the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The school's team currently competes in the Southeastern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008...
(19–9, 8–6). Although Shan Foster scored 22 points, becoming Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer in the process, the Commodores fell to the Razorbacks 78–73. Down by 1 point with under 10 seconds to play and no timeouts left, Vanderbilt senior Ross Neltner called for a timeout, receiving a technical foul that sealed the win for the Razorbacks.
Game 30. No. 16 Vanderbilt (25–5, 10–5) (AP and coaches' polls) hosted Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are the athletic teams of Mississippi State University. They participate in NCAA's Division I in the competitive 12-member Southeastern Conference under the mascot Bulldogs and the school colors of maroon and white...
(No. 25 coaches' poll) for their final home game of the season. On senior night, Shan Foster hit his final nine three-pointers and amassed a career high of 42 points, as Vanderbilt defeated the Bulldogs 86–85 in overtime. With the victory, Vanderbilt finished the season undefeated at home in Memorial Gym.
Game 31. No. 16 Vanderbilt (25–6, 10–6) (AP and coaches' polls) were at Coleman Coliseum
Coleman Coliseum
Coleman Coliseum is a 15,316-seat multi-purpose arena in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is home to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball and gymnastics teams. It has also been home to the Alabama women's basketball and women's volleyball programs in the past.Before 1988, the building...
to face Alabama in the final game of the season for both sides. Vanderbilt shot .280 percent from behind the arc. Though Shan Foster scored 21 points and A.J. Ogily added another 17, the Commodores fell to the Tide 78–73 in overtime. Alabama guard Mykal Riley scored 26 points, including the first 13 points for the Tide in overtime.
SEC Tournament
Game 32. No. 18 Vanderbilt (26–6) (AP, No. 17 coaches' poll) traveled to Atlanta, GA for the SEC Tournament2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 13–16, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds were televised by Raycom/LF Sports, and the SEC Championship Game was produced by CBS and televised by ESPN2...
to face Auburn
Auburn Tigers
Auburn Tigers is the name given to Auburn University athletic teams. The University is a member of the Southeastern Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 19 varsity teams in 13 sports:* Men's sports** Baseball** Basketball...
(14–16) in a first-round matchup. Behind a career-high 27 points from A.J. Ogilvy and 26 points from Shan Foster, Vanderbilt beat the Tigers 93–82 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Game 33. No. 18 Vanderbilt (26–7) (AP, No. 17 coaches' poll) faced off against Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal matchup. The Razorbacks extended their win streak to five games over the Commodores by dominating the rebounds and points in the paint. Vanderbilt senior Alex Gordon led all scorers with 22 points in the loss.
NCAA Tournament
Game 34. No. 18 Vanderbilt (26–8) (AP, No. 17 coaches' poll) were selected as a #4 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2008 NCAA Tournament to face #13 seed SienaSiena College
Siena College is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, in the town of Colonie, New York, United States. Siena is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition, founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1937. It has 3,000 full-time students and...
Saints. In his final collegiate game, Shan Foster
Shan Foster
Shan Donte Foster is an American professional basketball player. Foster played shooting guard for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University. He is the school's all-time leader in both points and three-point baskets made, and is also among the Southeastern Conference's...
scored just 13 points and was 1-for-5 from three-point range. The Commodores struggled to find consistent offense, going 4-for-20 from beyond the arc. Siena guard Kenny Hasbrouck scored 30 points to lead the Saints to an 83–62 upset of the #4 seeded Commodores.
Roster and individual statistics
| # | Name | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | High School | GP | Min | Ppg | Rpg | Apg |
| 0 | Jermaine Beal | G | 6–3 | 210 | Sophomore | DeSoto, TX DeSoto, Texas DeSoto is a city in Dallas County, Texas . Over the past eleven years since the 2000 U.S. Census Report, the City of DeSoto has grown in population from 37,646 to 49,047.... |
DeSoto DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas) DeSoto High School is a public school in DeSoto, Texas, United States. It is part of the DeSoto Independent School District. It is located at 600 Eagle Drive - History :... |
34 | 27.5 | 7.6 | 2.1 | 4.6 |
| 1 | Festus Ezeli Festus Ezeli Festus Ezeli, in full Ifeanyi Festus Ezeli-Ndelue , is a Nigerian basketball player preparing to begin his senior season at Vanderbilt University... 1 |
C | 6–11 | 245 | Freshman | Benin City, Nigeria Benin City Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos... |
Igbinedion Education Center | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | Charles Hinkle1 | G/F | 6–6 | 200 | Freshman | Los Alamitos, CA Los Alamitos, California Los Alamitos is a small city in Orange County, California. The city was incorporated in March 1960. The population was 11,449 at the 2010 census, down from 11,536 at the 2000 census... |
Hebron Academy (Maine) Hebron Academy Hebron Academy, founded in 1804, is a small, independent, college preparatory boarding and day school for boys and girls in grades six through postgraduate.-History:... /Los Alamitos Los Alamitos High School Los Alamitos High School is a public school for grades 9 to 12 located in Los Alamitos, California, and also serving the city of Seal Beach and the community of Rossmoor. It is the only traditional high school in the Los Alamitos Unified School District; the far smaller Laurel High School serves... |
– | – | – | – | – |
| 3 | Alex Gordon | G | 6–0 | 170 | Senior | Pensacola, FL Pensacola, Florida Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752... |
Pensacola Pensacola High School Pensacola High School is a secondary school located near downtown Pensacola, Florida, USA.The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001 and graduated its 100th class of seniors in 2005; however, the school has not always been at its current location. It was moved to Maxwell Street in 1952... |
34 | 29.8 | 10.8 | 2.4 | 3.1 |
| 4 | Andrew (A.J.) Ogilvy Andrew Ogilvy Andrew James "A.J." Ogilvy is an Australian basketball player currently with Power Electronics Valencia. He was also the starting center for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. On 8 April 2010, Ogilvy announced that he was making... |
C | 6–10 | 250 | Freshman | Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Australian Institute of Sport Australian Institute of Sport The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the... , Canberra Canberra Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne... |
34 | 26.4 | 17.0 | 6.7 | 1.2 |
| 11 | Alan Metcalfe | F | 6–9 | 265 | Senior | St. Helens, England St Helens, Merseyside St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census... |
Notre Dame Academy (Va.) Notre Dame Academy (Middleburg, Virginia) Middleburg Academy is a co-educational, nonsectarian, college preparatory, private high school set on an historic campus of more than in Middleburg, Virginia.-Background:... |
34 | 11.6 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 0.2 |
| 13 | Keegan Bell | G | 6–1 | 180 | Freshman | Hazel Green, AL Hazel Green, Alabama Hazel Green is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Madison County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the community is 3,630.-History:... |
Hazel Green Hazel Green High School Hazel Green High School is a public high school in Hazel Green, Alabama, United States. It is operated by the Madison County Board of Education. HGHS currently has over 1,200 enrolled students in grades 9-12.-Building:... |
34 | 13.5 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 2.8 |
| 15 | Elliott Cole2 | G | 5–11 | 175 | Freshman | Memphis, TN Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.... |
Memphis University School Memphis University School Memphis University School is an all-male private school for grades 7–12, located in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:MUS was founded in 1893 by Edwin Sidney Werts and James White Sheffey Rhea. MUS is a college-preparatory school. The school's colors, red and blue, were chosen by the founders to... |
5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| 21 | Darshawn McClellan | F | 6–7 | 220 | Freshman | Fresno, CA Fresno, California Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation... |
Edison (Fresno) Edison High School (Fresno, California) Edison High School is located in Fresno, California, United States, as part of the Fresno Unified School District. It is a public high school located next to Computech Middle School.... |
34 | 14.1 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.7 |
| 22 | Jamie Graham2 | G | 5–11 | 180 | Freshman | Nashville, TN Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home... |
Whites Creek | 15 | 4.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
| 24 | Andre Walker | F | 6–7 | 214 | Freshman | Flossmoor, IL Flossmoor, Illinois Flossmoor is a village in south suburban Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,464 at the 2010 census.The village is renowned for the quality and architectural variety of its housing stock, as well as its proximity to numerous country clubs. It prides itself on being a... |
Brewster Academy (N.H.) Brewster Academy Brewster Academy is a co-educational independent boarding school located on in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire USA, two hours north of Boston. It occupies 1/2 mile of shoreline along Lake Winnipesaukee... /Homewood-Flossmoor Homewood-Flossmoor High School Homewood-Flossmoor High School is a public high school in Flossmoor, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area. The majority of HF students live in Flossmoor and nearby Homewood, but the school also serves areas of Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, and Hazel Crest serving school... |
34 | 11.2 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.1 |
| 32 | Shan Foster Shan Foster Shan Donte Foster is an American professional basketball player. Foster played shooting guard for the Commodores college basketball team at Vanderbilt University. He is the school's all-time leader in both points and three-point baskets made, and is also among the Southeastern Conference's... |
G-F | 6–5 | 205 | Senior | Kenner, LA Kenner, Louisiana Kenner is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and a suburb of New Orleans. The population was 66,702 at the 2010 census.... |
Alfred Bonnabel | 34 | 33.7 | 20.3 | 4.9 | 1.6 |
| 34 | George Drake | G-F | 6–4 | 210 | Sophomore | Calera, AL Calera, Alabama Calera is a city in Chilton and Shelby counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the location of Birmingham's Shelby County Airport. Its population was 3,158 at the 2000 census, but as of 2010 the population had nearly quadrupled to 11,620 making it the fastest growing city in... |
Calera | 33 | 8.0 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
| 41 | Ross Neltner | F | 6–9 | 240 | Senior | Fort Thomas, KY Fort Thomas, Kentucky Fort Thomas is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, on the southern bank of the Ohio River and the site of an 1890 US Army post. The population was 16,325 at the 2010 census, making it the largest city in Campbell County and it is officially part of the Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky metropolitan... |
Highlands | 34 | 27.0 | 8.3 | 5.6 | 2.0 |
| 50 | Joe Duffy2 | F | 6–8 | 225 | Freshman | Charlotte, N.C. | Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.) Phillips Exeter Academy Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking... /Charlotte Catholic Charlotte Catholic High School Charlotte Catholic is a diocesan high school in Charlotte, North Carolina founded in 1955. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.-Athletics:... |
11 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
1 Reshirted this season.
2 Walk-on.
Stats through 33 games. Source: ESPN.com
2007–08 schedule and results
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time | Result | Overall | Conf. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
||||||
| November 5, 2007 | Tusculum | Nashville, TN | W 80–79 | – | – | |
| |
||||||
| November 10, 2007 | Austin Peay | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 81–67 | 1–0 | 0–0 |
| November 13, 2007 | Toledo | Toledo, OH | 7:00 pm | W 77–70 | 2–0 | 0–0 |
| November 20, 2007 | Valparaiso1 | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 87–78 | 3–0 | 0–0 |
| November 23, 2007 | Utah State1 | South Padre Island, TX | 10:00 pm | W 77–56 | 4–0 | 0–0 |
| November 24, 2007 | Bradley1 | South Padre Island, TX | 8:30 pm | W 95–86 | 5–0 | 0–0 |
| November 29, 2007 | South Alabama | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 91–88 (2 OT) | 6–0 | 0–0 |
| December 1, 2007 | Georgia Tech | Nashville, TN | 1:00 pm | W 92–79 | 7–0 | 0–0 |
| December 5, 2007 | Wake Forest | Nashville, TN | 7:00 pm | W 83–80 | 8–0 | 0–0 |
| December 8, 2007 | Lipscomb | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 90–67 | 9–0 | 0–0 |
| December 12, 2007 | DePaul | Chicago, IL | 8:30 pm | W 91–85 (OT) | 10–0 | 0–0 |
| December 22, 2007 | Tennessee State | Nashville, TN | 9:00 pm | W 83–74 | 11–0 | 0–0 |
| December 29, 2007 | Tennessee-Martin | Nashville, TN | 1:00 pm | W 92–85 | 12–0 | 0–0 |
| December 31, 2007 | Iona | Nashville, TN | 1:00 pm | W 97–73 | 13–0 | 0–0 |
| January 3, 2008 | Rice | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 76–58 | 14–0 | 0–0 |
| January 5, 2008 | Massachusetts | Nashville, TN | 4:00 pm | W 97–88 | 15–0 | 0–0 |
| January 9, 2008 | South Carolina* | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 80–73 | 16–0 | 1–0 |
| January 12, 2008 | Kentucky* | Lexington, KY | 1:30 pm | L 79–73 (2 OT) | 16–1 | 1–1 |
| January 17, 2008 | #6 Tennessee* | Knoxville, TN | 7:00 pm | L 80–60 | 16–2 | 1–2 |
| January 19, 2008 | LSU* | Nashville, TN | 1:00 pm | W 92–76 | 17–2 | 2–2 |
| January 27, 2008 | Florida* | Gainesville, FL | 1:00 pm | L 86–64 | 17–3 | 2–3 |
| January 30, 2008 | #24 Ole Miss* | Oxford, MS | 8:00 pm | L 74–58 | 17–4 | 2–4 |
| February 2, 2008 | Auburn* | Nashville, TN | 5:00 pm | W 78–71 | 18–4 | 3–4 |
| February 6, 2008 | Georgia* | Athens, GA | 7:30 pm | W 67–59 | 19–4 | 4–4 |
| February 9, 2008 | South Carolina* | Columbia, S.C. | 5:00 pm | W 66–65 | 20–4 | 5–4 |
| February 12, 2008 | Kentucky* | Nashville, TN | 9:00 pm | W 93–52 | 21–4 | 6–4 |
| February 16, 2008 | Florida* | Nashville, TN | 3:00 pm | W 61–58 | 22–4 | 7–4 |
| February 23, 2008 | Georgia* | Nashville, TN | 4:00 pm | W 86–74 | 23–4 | 8–4 |
| February 26, 2008 | #1 Tennessee* | Nashville, TN | 9:00 pm | W 72–69 | 24–4 | 9–4 |
| March 1, 2008 | Arkansas* | Fayetteville, AR | 4:05 pm | L 78–73 | 24–5 | 9–5 |
| March 5, 2008 | Mississippi State* | Nashville, TN | 8:00 pm | W 86–85 (OT) | 25–5 | 10–5 |
| March 8, 2008 | Alabama* | Tuscaloosa, AL | 7:00 pm | L 78–73 (OT) | 25–6 | 10–6 |
| 2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament The 2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 13–16, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds were televised by Raycom/LF Sports, and the SEC Championship Game was produced by CBS and televised by ESPN2... |
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| March 13, 2008 | Auburn | Atlanta, GA | 3:15 pm | W 93–82 | 26–6 | 10–6 |
| March 14, 2008 | Arkansas | Atlanta, GA | 3:15 pm | L 81–75 | 26–7 | 10–6 |
| 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season... |
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| March 21, 2008 | Siena | Tampa, FL | 6:20 PM | L 83–62 | 26–8 | 10–6 |
| *Conference game. 1 South Padre Island Shoot-out | ||||||
* Opponent rankings are those of the Associated Press Poll at the time the game was played.