The No. 19 Vanderbilt men’s basketball team (19-4, 6-4 SEC) will take on Auburn (14-9, 5-5 SEC) on Tuesday, February 10, as they look to bounce back from a recent loss. The game is set to tip off at 6 p.m. CT at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, and will be broadcasted on SEC Network. Fans can also catch live commentary on 102.5 The Game and through the Vanderbilt Athletics app, featuring the insights of Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson.
Defensive performance will be crucial for Vanderbilt following their recent defeat to Oklahoma, where they allowed the Sooners to shoot 53.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. This game continued a troubling trend for the Commodores, who have permitted opponents to post a 54.3 shooting percentage and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc in their four losses. In contrast, during their 19 wins, Vanderbilt has effectively limited opponents to just 39 percent shooting and 27 percent from three-point territory.
Tyler Tanner has emerged as a standout player, scoring a personal best of 37 points in the loss to Oklahoma—marking the first time he has crossed the 30-point threshold in his career. Tanner’s performance was particularly notable as 25 of his points came in the second half, highlighting his ability to elevate his game under pressure. With this achievement, he has joined elite company, becoming the first Commodore to score 37 or more points since Scotty Pippen Jr.’s 38-point outing in 2021.
Recognizing his exceptional contributions, Tanner has been named to the midseason top 10 list for the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the nation’s top point guard. He is currently averaging 18.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Notably, Tanner is the only player in a major conference to surpass 17.5 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals in those categories. Throughout the season, he has consistently scored in double figures in all 23 games, with even stronger performances in SEC play, averaging 22.0 points and 5.9 assists. His 57 steals place him among the top 10 for a single season in Vanderbilt history, while his 122 assists rank him sixth among sophomores.
Additionally, Tyler Nickel is making headlines with his impressive shooting ability, currently ranking 21st in the nation for made three-pointers with 77 and 18th for three-pointers per game at 3.5. His accuracy stands at an impressive 45 percent, with a record of hitting three or more threes in 14 different games this season.
As Vanderbilt approaches this matchup with Auburn, the focus will be on harnessing defensive strength while continuing to build on their offensive prowess, especially with Tanner and Nickel leading the charge. The game promises to be an exciting contest as the Commodores aim to reclaim their momentum in the SEC.