Fun fact: Tennessee has seven teams competing in the NCAA Tournament this year. If you’re anything like us, you’re making your bracket extra local. Here’s what to know about the three Nashville teams gearing up for the Big Dance.
Vanderbilt women’s, No. 7 seed
The team ended the season with a 22-10 record and 8-8 in SEC play, which helped secure their second consecutive bid to the tournament and highest seed since 2012. They average nearly 84 points a game and rank in the top 10 for steals per game at 12.
As for tournament history, the Commodores have made an appearance 29 times. Of those appearances, they advanced to the Elite Eight five times and made one vie for the ultimate title in the Final Four in 1993.
Players to watch: Freshman guard Mikayla Blakes was recognized as one of five players to keep your eyes on during tournament play by USA Today — and with good reason. Blakes closed out the regular season with a win over Missouri and extended her double-digit scoring streak to 15 games. In February, her 55 points against Auburn made NCAA history by setting the freshman single-game scoring record.
Game info: Vandy will first take on No. 10 Oregon at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21. The winner of the first round advances to play the winner of the No. 2 Duke and No. 15 Lehigh game.
Catch up on everything else that’s happened this season with Vanderbilt men’s team before they take the court again. | Photo by @davidjanesphotos
Vanderbilt men’s, No. 10 seed
The team ended the season with a 20-12 record and 8-10 in SEC play, which helped secure their first bid to the tournament since 2017. They defied the odds this season, having been picked last in the league and adjusting to a new coach. In fact, this is only the second time in school history that a first-year coach has led the team in the NCAA Tournament.
In other tournament history, the Commodores have made an appearance 16 times. Of those appearances, they advanced to the Sweet 16 five times and saw one opportunity in the Elite Eight.
Players to watch: Junior point guard Jason Edwards earned All-SEC recognition, scored in the double digits all but two games this season, and was the first player to score over 500 points in a season since Scotty Pippen Jr. Also of note is junior guard Tyler Nickel, who should be watched behind the arc. Nickel hit 75 three-pointers this season.
Game info: Vandy will take on No. 7 Saint Mary’s at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, March 21. The winner of the first round advances to play the winner of the No. 2 Alabama and No. 15 Robert Morris game.
With a record like Lipscomb’s, Allen Arena was the place to be during home games this season. | Photo by Brent Moore via Flickr
Lipscomb men’s, No. 14 seed
Lipscomb ended the season with a 25-9 record, and a victory at the ASUN Conference Tournament secured the team’s second-ever NCAA Tournament berth. They entered the conference tournament with a No. 1 seed and were led by ASUN Coach of the Year Lennie Acuff and ASUN Player of the Year Jacob Ognacevic.
The Bisons punched their first ticket to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, where they lost 84-66 to North Carolina in the first round.
Players to watch: Senior guard Joe Anderson was an integral part of Lipscomb’s success during the team’s biggest games, earning him ASUN’s Most Valuable Player honors. Not only did he score a career-high of 28 points during the quarterfinals, he notched the team’s final nine points of the game to win the conference title. Of note, he’s the only player on this year’s squad who’s been to the NCAA Tournament before.
Game info: Lipscomb will take on No. 3 Iowa State at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21. The winner of the first round advances and will play either No. 6 Ole Miss or whichever team reigns victorious in the San Diego State and North Carolina matchup.
