Keys to the Game: Vanderbilt Commodores

March Madness has lived up to its reputation during Champ Week. The Southeastern Conference got a pair of upsets during Thursday night’s evening session with #10 Mississippi State knocking off #7 South Carolina and the #11 Vanderbilt Commodores moving past #6 Alabama. Vanderbilt trailed by as many as 15 points with 14 minutes remaining before going on a 12-0 run to get back in the game. They went on to win 82-76.

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myles Stute were instrumental in the Commodores second half comeback. Pippen Jr. finished the game 15-21 from the free throw line on his way to game-high 26 points. As for Stute, the 6’7″ sophomore went 6-10 from beyond the arc including back-to-back threes during Vandy’s 12-0 run.

Kentucky has seen the greatness of Scotty Pippen Jr. first hand this season. The First Team All-SEC guard has gone for 32 and 33 points respectively in the Commodores two losses to the Wildcats. Now, he will look to get over the hump and into the win column to extend Vanderbilt’s season for at least one more day.

For our third matchup of the season we will just be going over the keys to the game instead of a full scouting report. You can check out Twitter for clips and breakdowns of the Commodores throughout the day or go back and read a scouting report from the past for a more in-depth look. Here we are going to focus on the three things Kentucky must do to advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals. Containing Scotty Pippen Jr., taking away the three-point shot, and limiting turnovers will be the recipe for beating the Vanderbilt Commodores a third time.

How to Guard Scotty Pippen Jr.

The old adage of “you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him” certainly applies to the Vanderbilt Commodores star player. Pippen Jr. is one of the most dangerous offensive players in the country with his ability to efficiently score from all three levels. He is a good three-pointer shooter who can make tough ones off of the dribble, has the quickness to get to the rim, and is among the best in college basketball at getting to the free throw line.

Kentucky has to be very willing to switch the ballscreens when Pippen Jr. is coming off. Switching keeps a guy on a guy and is the best way to ensure that you stay between him and the basket. As a big man, when you are switched onto a guard, you have to get out into his space and force him to drive the ball. You cannot give up a deep three-pointer after switching the ballscreen. Forcing Pippen Jr. into contest two-point shots is your best way to find success on the defensive end.

When Pippen Jr. does drive the ball the Wildcats need to aggressively help and make him give it up. While he is a very good passer (4.2 assists per game) he also has a tendency to turn it over quite a bit (3.5 turnovers per game). However, the main point is that we would rather his teammates shoot the ball than allow him to drive it all the way to the basket. We will live with a couple of extra kick-out three-pointers at the expense of not letting Pippen Jr. be comfortable with the ball.

The Key: 8 or fewer free throw attempts. More shots than points.

Take Vanderbilt Away From Three-Point Range

The Vanderbilt Commodores take 25 three-point attempts per game. 46.2% of their overall field goal attempts come from beyond the arc which is the 18th highest rate in the country. They also are making them at a 33.9% clip which is above the national average. When you take a lot of threes, and also make them, it is a pretty good recipe for success. That is what makes the Commodores so dangerous in March. It is unlikely that they will be hot enough to go win the whole SEC Tournament, but on any given night they can hang with and beat anyone.

We’ve already spent plenty of time talking about guarding Scotty Pippen Jr. He is obviously a threat from three-point range for Vandy. However, Myles Stute is the best shooter on their roster. The 6’7″ forward is 70-161 from deep, 43.5%, and is fresh off of a 6-10 performance against Alabama on Thursday night. Kentucky must switch the ballscreens that he sets to take away his ability to pick-and-pop. As the defender, you have to be tight to him at all times. You do not have any responsibilities when guarding him other than taking away the three-point attempts. There is absolutely no help off of #10 Stute.

Outside of Pippen Jr. and Stutue, #4 Jordan Wright and #12 Trey Thomas are Vanderbilt’s primary three-point shooting threats. Wright is more aggressive, and more efficient, as a right hand driver but will take and make catch-and-shoot three’s. However, Thomas is strictly a three-point shooter who has only attempted 36 two’s on the season.

The Key: 7 or fewer three’s for Vanderbilt as a team.

Limit Turnovers

We have spent a lot of time talking about the Vanderbilt Commodores offense, but the analytics actually say their defense is better. The film would generally say otherwise, but on paper this is an above-average defense that is elite in a couple of areas. Vanderbilt is excellent at guarding the three-point line, holding opponents to just 29.7% shooting from deep, and they force turnovers on 21.3% of possessions. That turnover rate is 35th nationally while the three-point defense checks in at 16th best.

The Commodores have very active hands when the ball is being driven. They will come from behind the play to poke at the ball and love to reach as the help defender. You have to be ready for hands to come into play from multiple directions when you are attacking the basket.

The Key: 12 or fewer turnovers.