Saturday’s loss to Texas A&M could spell doom for Vanderbilt’s NCAA Tournament hopes, but Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse maintains that his team deserves the chance to go dancing.
“Yeah, we belong in the NCAA Tournament. Ain’t no doubt in my mind about that,” Stackhouse said after the game.
Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse: “Yeah, we belong in the NCAA Tournament. Ain’t no doubt in my mind about that.”
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 11, 2023
Vandy’s scrappy squad ran out of gas against the No. 18 Aggies as A&M advanced to its second straight SEC final.
Prior to tip, bracketologist Joe Lunardi said that he believed the Commodores were “clearly” an NCAA Tournament team, but admitted they could use another big win:
Vandy is clearly good enough to be an NCAA Tournament team. The numbers, do not work in their favor, historically. I would say 1 more win and I’ll put the Commodores in the field. I think the numbers will follow. We’ll see if the rest of the country cooperates and the bubble doesn’t shrink on them.
It’s a tough loss for Stackhouse and Vanderbilt to take all things considered. Let’s see how it all shakes out come Selection Sunday.