Vanderbilt’s Late Surge vs. Oklahoma Can’t Mask the Bigger Picture
Vanderbilt's game against Oklahoma was a tale of two very different teams-one that showed up in the final five minutes and one that struggled for the first 35. The comeback was dramatic, sparked by a lights-out performance from Tyler Tanner, but the bigger story lies in how the Commodores found themselves in such a deep hole to begin with.
Let’s break it down.
1. Tyler Tanner’s Takeover Was Special-But He Needs Help
Tyler Tanner was nothing short of electric in the second half. He poured in 26 points after the break, hit his final five shots, and finished with 37 overall.
This wasn’t just a hot hand-this was a guy putting the team on his back and nearly dragging them to a win. He looked every bit the part of a future pro, and if he keeps playing like this, NBA scouts will absolutely take notice.
But here’s the thing: one-man shows don’t win consistently in today’s college game. Unless you’ve got a top-10 player in the country who can dominate all facets of the game, you need at least three guys who can create offense on their own.
Tanner is doing his part-and then some-but the supporting cast has to rise to the moment. Right now, they’re not there yet.
2. Confidence Is Contagious-And Vanderbilt Let Oklahoma Catch Fire Early
Oklahoma came into this one with a 1-9 record in conference play, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching the first 35 minutes. Vanderbilt allowed them to get comfortable early, and once those first few shots fell, Oklahoma’s confidence skyrocketed.
You could see it in their body language-they started believing they could win. And in this league, belief can be dangerous.
Vanderbilt showed flashes of effort, but by the time they ramped up the intensity, Oklahoma had already built a rhythm. When you let a struggling team find its footing, you’re playing with fire-and Vanderbilt got burned.
3. The Defensive Struggles Start at the Rim
The biggest defensive issue for Vanderbilt continues to be their lack of rim protection. And it showed again in this one.
Oklahoma dominated the paint early and often, putting up double-digit points in that area while shooting nearly 60% in the first half. That kind of efficiency doesn’t happen by accident.
The problem is systemic. When you can’t stop dribble penetration or contest shots at the rim, you’re forced to collapse your defense.
That opens up the perimeter, leads to broken rotations, and gives up clean looks from three. Oklahoma only hit four threes in the first half, but they didn’t have to rely on them-the damage was already being done inside.
It’s a domino effect, and Vanderbilt’s been on the wrong end of it too many times this season.
4. Inexperience Is Showing-And Depth Is Being Tested
AK Okereke has been one of the unsung heroes of this team, doing all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. So when he picked up three fouls in three minutes early in the game, it was a massive blow. Suddenly, the rotation had to shift, and younger players were thrust into bigger roles.
Chandler Bing saw extended minutes and actually held his own defensively, which is encouraging. But in the SEC, you have to bring it on both ends.
That’s the challenge when you’re relying on freshmen and underclassmen out of necessity rather than choice. They’re learning on the fly, and while that experience will pay off down the line, it’s a tough ask in the present.
Mark Byington is being forced to juggle lineups, manage minutes carefully, and hope his young guys can grow up quickly. That’s a tough position for any coach, especially in a league this deep.
5. NIL and Roster Building Aren’t Side Stories-They’re the Story
Let’s be clear: effort isn’t the issue with this team. They fight.
They battle. But depth, physicality, and experience are areas where Vanderbilt is consistently coming up short-and those gaps are now directly tied to resources.
The school’s current approach to NIL and revenue sharing is setting a low ceiling for what this program can be. If that doesn’t change, the roster could take a serious hit heading into next season. And in today’s college basketball world, you can’t afford to fall behind in the NIL game.
Freshmen like Jayden Leverett are promising, but they’re supposed to be long-term projects, not immediate contributors. When injuries force those players into bigger roles, the cracks start to show.
If Vanderbilt wants to compete in the SEC-not just survive-they need to invest in players who are ready to contribute from day one. That requires serious financial commitment, and right now, it doesn’t look like the school is willing to make that leap.
The message is clear: if fans want this program to stay competitive in the nation’s toughest conference, support through the Nashville Basketball Initiative isn’t a bonus-it’s a necessity.
Final Thought: The Margin for Error Is Small-and Vanderbilt Has to Tighten Up
This wasn’t the first time Vanderbilt has come out flat, but it stings a little more given they had a full week to prepare. You can’t spot a team a 19-point lead and expect to win, even if you finish with a furious rally. The SEC doesn’t give you many second chances.
The good news? Mark Byington continues to show he can coach with the best of them.
His game plans are sharp, and his ability to make in-game adjustments is a real strength. But strategy only gets you so far.
The structure around the program-from roster depth to NIL support-has to catch up.
As the Commodores prepare for a tough road test at Auburn, the response can’t just be emotional. It has to be structural. Because in this league, the teams that are built to last are the ones that invest in every phase of the game-on the court and off it.
“You go cheap, you get cheated.” That line, famously repeated by the most competitive athlete of all time, rings especially true here.
Vanderbilt has the fight. Now it needs the backing.