Vanderbilt Basketball: Commodores not snubbed by preseason AP poll
By Logan Shaw
The Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team was left out of the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll despite entering with the school’s highest-rated recruiting class.
The Vanderbilt Commodores will enter their 2018-2019 campaign on the heels of their highest-rated recruiting class in school history. Despite bringing in two five-star prospects, Darius Garland and Simi Shittu, and South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Aaron Nesmith, the Commodores will enter the season unranked largely due to their youth and lack of success a year ago.
Though Vanderbilt will feature several new, talented players, including transfers, Matt Ryan and Yanni Wetzel, the Commodores struggled last season as they failed to win fifteen games for the first time since the 2002-2003 season, finishing thirteenth in the conference ahead of only Ole Miss.
In addition, the Commodores graduated three four-year starters and lost three additional players to other schools by way of transfer, including Djery Baptiste who is currently finishing his undergraduate program at Vanderbilt University this fall before transferring to UMASS in December.
So why should they be ranked in the AP’s preseason poll? It’s simple; they shouldn’t.
By no means do I believe that this Commodore squad isn’t capable of being a top twenty-five team this season. However, it is impossible to fathom that the national media would give respect to this team after the season they had a year ago while also losing their top three scorers and three other contributors.
Now, if another team, potentially one wearing blue and white, was to finish a season with the same record and bring in a top ten class for the next season, they would more than likely be ranked in the preseason polls without any dispute.
However, the Commodores will have to earn their respect on the hardwood this season as they look to improve upon their 2017-2018 campaign with one of the most athletic teams in school history.
Although unranked to start the season, Vanderbilt fans have much to be excited about as the Commodores prepare to shock the world in what is setting up to be one of the most anticipated seasons in school history.