In an SEC Basketball league that’s been as good as any in recent history, one of those teams responsible for its success is Vanderbilt Basketball. Under head coach Mark Byington, the Commodores are coming off a 27-win season, making it to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.
After a successful offseason that included one massive news announcement, Vanderbilt is set to be ranked in the preseason for the 2026-27 campaign. They’re one of the first programs to have a public preseason game, playing Virginia in an exhibition battle on Sunday. Here are some key storylines to watch for the 2026-27 campaign.
One of the big breakout stars from last season was Tanner, an All-SEC player who led Vanderbilt with 19.5 ppg and 5.1 apg. The star guard was in the NBA Draft process but elected to come back for his junior year. If he has an even bigger season, Tanner could very well go pro, making this an important season for the program. It’s rare for Vanderbilt to have one of the top players in the SEC, so a Sweet 16 appearance should be the goal for 2026-27.
Coach Mark Byington is looking to make the Commodores more than just Tanner going forward, having a top-25 incoming recruiting class. They’re led ...