Katz: 'Dores are SEC East Contenders

Andy Katz highlights the 'Dores efforts in San Juan and includes a quick interview with Coach Kevin Stallings.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/18453/vanderbilt-not-surprised-by-its-success

'Dores Down UNC

After a last-second loss to West Virginia in the second round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, the Commodores rebounded to upset #8 UNC by 7 points. Jeffrey Jenkins made the All-Tournament team after averaging 21.6 points during the tournament. Jenkins also claimed the SEC Player of the Week honors, the second time this season it has been awarded to a Commodore. Brad Tinsley received the first week's award after notching Vanderbilt's first ever triple-double, with 11 points, 10 rebound and 10 assists.

Double Secret Scrimage: VU 82 - UNC 69

Word on the street is that VU took down UNC in a "secret scrimmage" this past Sunday at Memorial. Apparently, this was accomplished without Ogilvy. Though still unverified, blog feeds say VU won with a strong surge in the second half on the shoulders of their guards who protected the rock and drained a bevy of threes. Check out one of many blog feeds (scroll to bottom) HERE. Also, Fox Sports verified that there was in fact a scrimmage between UNC and VU this past Sunday, November 1. From what I can gather, the reason these scrimmages are kept "secret" is because schools are not allowed to charge for tickets and do not want press around.

Good Pub

SI pegs Ogilvy, Taylor, and co. as the 10th best Frontcourt in the Country.

In addition, Fox Sports rated incoming Frosh John Jenkins as the 3rd best shooter in the country. Not bad for a fella who has yet to play a game.

John Jenkins ranked #3 shooter in the NCAA

Named the 3rd best shooter in the nation (according to Fox Sports)...and he's never even played in a college game. He's the highest rated recruit in the recruiting services era and Stallings says "He's the purest shooter I've had."

Larry Smith Gets the Nod

As predicted, Larry Smith will get the go-ahead in the season opener this Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing him lead the offense and grow as the season unfolds. Story from VUCommodores here.

AJ Leads Boomers

AJ stayed behind in Australia after the team's trip to lead the Boomers in back-to-back "shocking" wins over the Yao-less China national team. Story here.

Katz on SEC Hoops

Katz has the 'Dores finishing third in the East behind Kentucky and UT and discusses AJ, Beale and Jenkins here.

Good Stat Read

See story here

Star Power

Perhaps the biggest off-season story is the Dores newfound ability to attract a higher level of talent to Nashville. The graph below shows the "star power" of Vandy's commits prior to each season's kickoff. Data is based off of Scout's ratings and commit dates.

'Dores Gear Up

It's that time of year again. The weather is turning warmer (south of the equator), people are laughing at my jokes again and the Commodores are in full pads. And although CBJ closed practice to the public, the folks at VandyMania and VUCommodores have kept us up to speed with practice reports, interviews and photos.

We've suffered some early injuries - some major, others only nagging - and despite a blow to the WR corps with an unfortunate academic summer term from UConn transfer Jeffers, CBJ and co. are putting the pieces together. I've been most impressed with the three freshman running backs - Warren Norman, Wesley Tate and Zac Stacey - they are clearly getting after it and will pressure a sidelined Hawkins for PT.

With just over a week until kickoff, one question still remains: who wins the QB battle? Both Smith and Adams have shared reps leading the first-team, but CBJ hasn't rendered a decision. Personally, I hand the reigns to Larry Smith. Mac Adams has performed well in a few big wins, but his inconsistency and inaccuracy worry me. Larry Smith throws a great ball and I think we as a team have more to gain in the next few years by giving him more game experience.

Go Dores.

Some Stats

1. VU has scored on 13 of 14 red-zone trips, including 10 Touchdowns.

2. VU has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 45-10 in the second half of the season's first three games.

3. VU scored 24 unanswered points against Rice and went on a 21-0 run in the win over SC.

4. The Commodores lead the SEC with 10 quarterback sacks and the fewest penalties with nine.

Monday's Links

The SEC's leading tackler, Patrick Benoist breaks a bone in his hand. CoBoJo says he'll play in a cast.

The Hustler says that Vandy has found the killer instinct.

Former Vandy Ace and top draft pick David Price retires the side in his first inning of major league pitching.

Dores Lock Down Rice

I have to admit that I was a little worried about the Owls and their high-powered offense. It proved true in the first half when it seemed like Clement couldn't throw an incompletion. The Dores, however, held stride. I had to watch the CBS Sportsline Gametracker online (I'm in Argentina) and felt a thrill I never thought I would watching little simulated Commodores run around the field. The D stepped it up big time in the second half, forcing punts, sacks, and turning the Owls over. The highlight for me was watching the fake little DJ Moore almost take it to the house after the D forced a 3-and-out. That's twice he's taken it all the way to the 1 yard this year.

Obviously, a 3-0 start couldn't feel better. These Dores are consistently closing games (if three counts) and playing great defense when it matters most. Jared Hawkins deserves a lot of credit - it seemed like a guaranteed 5 yards every time he touched the ball tonight. I wish I could see them play live, but watching a Gametracker W is good enough. As long as we win. Go Dores.

Jared Hawkins: "We're not a blow-off team. We'll hit you in the mouth."

2-0, 1-0 in SEC

Dores in Business. So far, not too bad for a rebuilding year.

Good Article by David Climer in the Tennessean: The Dores might not go to a bowl this year. But this team is not the "same ole Vandy." Against South Carolina, with a chance to fold in the 4th Quarter as in the past, the Dores defense came up with two sacks forcing a punt on USC's final drive. Then, with the ball and needing a first down to put the game away, the Dores ran off tackle and picked it up. 

Point is, we have a tough schedule. We're young. But these guys compete. 

Price Featured in SI

Great article in the latest Sports Illustrated on David Price and his future as a elite major leaguer with the Devil Rays.

In other news, get ready for the Dore Duds launch within the next 2 weeks...

Big D needs the 3

I'd like to open this entry by just stating a sincere thanks to the DoreDuds clothing line for their continuing support. Now on to the material...

Shan while falling certainly further in the draft than he deserved ended up in a very good situation. First, he's working for owner Mark Cuban. Cuban is notorious for spoiling his players with locker room extras such as built in flat screen televisions, DVD set ups, and entertainment system in each locker. Once Shan steps out of the locker room and on to the court, he'll have the premier past-first point guard of the last 10 years in J-Kidd setting him up for jumpers. Thirdly, when first year coach Rick Carlisle needs a three and looks down his bench, the current options are limited with Jason Terry, a career 39% three point shooter as perhaps the best option. I look forward to rooting for the Mavs in the future, even if it means pulling for former rivals Brandon Bass (LSU) and Erik Dampier (MSU).

Shan interview from the Mavs' website

MLB Draft Tomorrow

The 'dores may get hit hard by tomorrow's Draft. Here's Mo Patton's take.

Dores Kick off Football Season on National TV

Now that baseball's over, it's a waiting game for August. Fortunately for Vandy fans, the 'Dores will kick off the season with back to back nationally televised games. Both are on Thursdays: Miami (OH) to start, then the Gamecocks come to Nashvegas.

Basehall over; Snedeker article

A strange baseball season is over. The 2nd ranked Diamond Dores started off the season with a shellacking of the defending national champions only to fall 18-6 a day later to Arizona State. All-American Pedro Alvarez broke his hand and missed 20+ games and the 'Dores struggled at the beginning of SEC play.

The squad banded together midway through conference play and traveled to Georgia with a chance to put themselves in position to win the regular season. Unfortunately, a convincing Game 1 victory was not a harbinger of things to come. The next night, the 'Dores gave up a 2-0 lead in the 9th inning. The Saturday night loss in Athens was the final turning point of the season, as the series slipped away the next day and the Gators pulled out brooms the following weekend.

Despite another early postseason flameout, the 'Diamond Dores are primed for success next year. The cupboard is full and another top ranked recruiting class comes to Nashville in the Fall. Corbin and his staff are the best recruiters in America. Maybe next year is the year Vandy turns the corner and heads to Omaha.

In other news, turns your eyes to this fantastic article in the Memphis Appeal. Brandt Snedeker is a model ambassador for the Vandy athletic program.

Dores in Tempe

The Dores (2) play Oklahoma (3) in the Tempe Regional today at 4pm CT. The game will be available free via webcast (need IE to view). All baseball info here, including Joe Fisher's interviews.

Dores Down Gators

The Dores avenged a series sweep this past weekend, beating Florida 7-3 in the first round of the SECT. They face LSU Thursday at 6pm EST.

Another Dore Inks

Stamper makes 7 looking to make a name in the bigs

http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/052108aaa.html

ESPN Ranks Vandy's Class at 13

It's the highest ESPN has ever ranked us. Half of the SEC is in the top 20.

Vanderbilt Athletics Announces Huge Renovations

Great news for the athletic program. Hope they add some room in the rafters at Memorial Gymnasium, as the incoming can't-miss quartet will be filling the arena with banners.

Buy Shan, his Stock's Undervalued

SEC Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-American, Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for good citizenship = 40th best prospect in this year's draft? 

With just 6 weeks until the June 26th NBA Draft, it looks like Shan Foster will fall to the Second Round. According to ESPN's draft expert chad forde, the negatives on Shan read like the following. "Foster is pretty one-dimensional. He's not very athletic. Needs to add strength. Poor ball handler. He rarely gets to the line." As this highlight reel indicates, I take issue with those statements. I will perhaps tackle each of these in the coming days. For now,

Not very athletic? Ask Rick Stansbury, whose Mississippi State team suffered a 9/9 three point barrage from Shan Foster late in the season. As the founding member of the Daily Dore Fatt Popp will tell you, that clip will give your goosebumps goosebumps. That video also revealed that it sure looked like Stansbury told his team to guard 32. Any basketball purist will tell you that to take a non-athletic shooter out of the game, simply put a hand in his face. That video also revealed that that February night it didn't matter. See, athletic players make plays regardless of who's guarding them. Shan proved that night why he is an athlete.