Vanderbilt is back in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2015, clocking in at No. 24 in the preseason poll. This ain’t some fluke arrival either; they finished last season at No. 19. The real story, though, is what happens next with star guard Tyler Tanner trying to bring along a practically brand-new roster.
Tyler Tanner Is a Certified Bucket, But Who’s Got His Back?
Let’s be real, Tanner is the absolute real deal. Last season, the dude was dropping 19.5 points, dishing out 5.1 assists, and swiping 2.4 steals per game. He wasn’t just good, he was record-breaking, setting Vanderbilt single-season marks with 184 assists and 86 steals. Those are straight-up elite numbers, explaining exactly why he snagged preseason first-team All-SEC honors. He is, without a doubt, the credible star this team is built around. But a star, no matter how bright, needs a supporting cast.
Fresh Faces and Fresh Chemistry: The Big Question Marks
Here’s the kicker: aside from Tanner, Chandler Bing, and Jayden Leverett, this roster is almost entirely rebuilt. We’re talking new transfers Sebastian Williams-Adams, Bangot Dak, and Ace Glass, plus freshman Gabe Nesmith. That’s a ton of fresh chemistry that needs to gel around a point guard who basically ran the entire offense last season.
Tanner’s game is built for this kind of challenge. He’s an advantage-creator with insane quickness, a nasty handle, and open-floor speed, attacking the rim 200 times last year. He’s a good finisher, creates easier angles, and his shotmaking from three levels is improving. The dude even logged 18 dunks and 12 blocks, which are outlier numbers for a 5’11”, 167-pound point guard. His 5.1 assists show he can absolutely create for teammates. However, he’s still got work to do on his shotmaking off the dribble, hitting just 29% on pull-up threes and 26% on floaters. Even with all that talent, an elite point guard needs reliable targets, screen setters, and defenders around him. Can these new additions step up and make his job easier? That’s the million-dollar question.
No. 24 Is Just the Start: Proving the Hype Is Real
That No. 24 ranking in the AP poll is cool, giving Vanderbilt some early national shine. But don’t get it twisted: the SEC media poll picked them sixth in the league, which is a stark reminder that a top-25 vote isn’t a guaranteed spot at the top. This invitation means Vanderbilt still has to prove they can take all that individual talent and turn it into a dependable rotation. That makes Tanner one of the most compelling players to watch this season.
The first weeks are going to be absolutely critical for this squad. They gotta figure out if these new additions can actually make Tanner’s job easier, or if he’s going to be doing all the heavy lifting for a roster still finding its way. If he keeps creating at last year’s level and the supporting cast finds its rhythm, that No. 24 spot could honestly look conservative by mid-season. But if the roster takes time to click? That preseason ranking will feel like a massive challenge they’re trying to grow into. You know we’ll be watching to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply