[McDunkin]

A perennial victim of the first-round upset, Vanderbilt entered the 2011-12 season with perhaps more hype than the program has ever had as the Commodores returned the core of last year’s team. But it only took two games to see Vanderbilt upset again by a mid-major, falling at home to Cleveland State 71-58.

The Vikings took an early lead and never looked back on Sunday, pushing the margin to as many as 16 points in the first half. Senior D’Aundray Brown was the team’s driving force, finishing 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals.

Brown’s defense helped disrupt a Commodore offense that looked stellar in the team’s opening win against Oregon. That night John Jenkins, Jeffrey Taylor and Brad Tinsley combined for 58 points but against Cleveland State, the trio manged just 33 points.

Cleveland State was supposed to take a step back after its star player, Norris Cole, was drafted in the first round by the Miami Heat. However, the team seems ready for life without him.

From The Tennessean:

“Norris Cole was a first-round draft pick, and now all of a sudden he’s gone,” [Cleveland State Head Coach Gary] Waters said of a player taken in the first round in the NBA draft. “You can have first-round draft picks but when he’s your point guard and leading everything, that’s a whole different world. I wanted to see starting out early how fast we could adjust and make certain things happen. And when you’ve got four seniors out on the floor, some things happen.”

The loss is a brutal wake-up call for a Vanderbilt team with many doubters heading into the season. Despite the high-ranking, its lack of tournament success in recent years raised eyebrows. The Commodores will likely have to wait until a Nov. 28 game against No. 14 Xavier to silence any critics.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/news-rumors/other-news/2011/11/no-7-vandy-falls-to-cleveland-state/

Where is the legendary matt freije when you need him

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

On paper Vandy has 1 of the best starting 5 in the nation..They have everything you’d want for a team..They have experience,great shooters,nice post play and a good playmaker…But they dont play smart, nor do they play together or with any intensity on defense..And almost everyone in the starting lineup is 1 dimensional and lacks a true understanding of how to play the game……

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Not that this is much of an excuse, but Festus Ezeli, there starting Center, is injured and did not play. Seems like Vandy also decided to turn the ball over like it was their job. Jeff Taylor has always suffered with inconsistency. He had a fantastic game against the Ducks (21/11/4 ast and 5 steals), than goes for 6 TO’s and 9 points against Cleveland State.

Also, shooting 35% from the field and 24% from 3 (not helped by John Jenkin’s 5/14 and 2/8) is never good for anybody. Either Cleveland State was playing great defense, or Vandy had an incredible off game shooting the ball. My guess is it was a little of both. They will probably be better once Festus Ezeli comes back, but even than it is hard to call them a serious contender with their persistent inconsistency. 

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

 Festus Ezeli is not injured, he is suspended for the first six games of the season for improper benifits

content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/10/vanderbilt-center-festus-ezeli-suspended-for-first-six-games-for-ncaa-violation/1

 

[JNixonParticipant]

 ^He’s also injured too.

[JNixonParticipant]

 ^He’s also injured too.

[Andrew1984Participant]

I’ve been following Cleveland State basketball my whole life. I attend three or four games every year. I believe this is their first road win against a top 10 in a very long time.

This group of starters is really good, they just don’t have much depth. Their bench players are all freshmen or redshirt sophomores. If the starters can stay healthy all year, they can do some damage. If they get hit with injuries, they’re in trouble.

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

 o, ok my fault, I thought he was just suspended

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 that coach in Cleveland State is building a nice program there…

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Lots of parity in college basketball.  Belmont only lost by a point to Duke.  Belmont plays Memphis tomorrow at 11 so we will see what happens.  And UCLA lost to Loyola Marymount.  We figure this out every year in March and April where you might have 2 or 3 teams that are clearly at the top of the heap and then everyone else can make things very interesting.

[Author]

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