NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The stage is set for an exciting showdown as Vanderbilt men’s basketball hosts the defending national champion, Florida, in a highly anticipated clash on Saturday, January 17, at 1 p.m. CT. This matchup, part of the SEC race, will take place at Memorial Gymnasium and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Fans who cannot attend can still catch the action through the radio on 102.5 The Game or via the Vanderbilt Athletics App, where Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson will be calling the game.
Vanderbilt entered this game looking to bounce back after suffering an 80-64 defeat against Texas, marking their first loss of the season. In that game, the Commodores showed promise but struggled in the second half, finishing with a shooting percentage of just 36.7%, marking only the second time this season they have finished under 42%.
This Saturday’s matchup will be the second consecutive game at home against a ranked opponent for Vanderbilt, following their recent contest against No. 13 Alabama. The Commodores have proven to be formidable against ranked teams, having won their last four encounters against such opponents. A victory against the Gators would tie the program record for consecutive wins against ranked teams, a streak established by the 2006-07 team.
Duke Miles has been a standout player for Vanderbilt this season, averaging 17.5 points per game. After missing two games due to illness and injury, Miles made a strong return with a notable performance against Alabama, scoring 19 points and making five steals. He currently leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally with an impressive average of 2.9 steals per game. The recognition of being named one of the best transfers by Field of 68 underscores his significant impact on the team’s success.
As Vanderbilt prepares for this crucial game, they remain focused and ready to challenge Florida, aiming to secure their place as a top contender in the SEC. Fans are hopeful for a positive result that could further elevate the Commodores’ standing in the conference and add to their impressive record against ranked teams.