KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers took their 5-1 SEC record to the state’s capitol in Nashville to face Vanderbilt. The Commodores have yet to win a conference game heading into this meeting.

This is the 11th time in the last 13 matchups, dating back to 1/9/18, that the Volunteers are ranked and the Commodores are not, a figure that ironically hasn’t played in the Big Orange’s favor. Tennessee is 1-5 against Vandy when they’re ranked inside the Top 10. In fact, ranked teams are 18-27 when they go on the road against unranked opponents this season.

Tennessee’s return to Memorial Gymnasium is the first since their 11-game series win streak was snapped a season ago. The Commodores won on a buzzer-beater 66-65 on 2/8/23.

It’s trend that was playing true in the first half, as Vanderbilt went into the break with a 35-30 lead.

The first period was a game of runs and scoring droughts. The opening 10 minutes was a back-and-forth match capped by a 2:53 scoring run by Tennessee to give them a 23-17 lead, their largest at the time.

Then in the final 10 minutes of the period, it was Vanderbilt who mounted an 11-1 run, and Tennessee went scoreless for 3:27. It was a stretch where Vanderbilt took back the lead, 28-24, their largest lead at the time.

Vanderbilt went into the break leading 35-30.

Despite trailing at the half, Tennessee is in front in several categories. The Vols have 10 second chance points compared to Vanderbilt’s 2. When it comes to the battle of the boards, Tennessee has the 22-14 edge. UT also converted at a higher percentage from the field, 45% to Vandy’s 38%.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2024 WVLT. All rights reserved.