After completing the difficult part of its non-conference schedule that featured four ranked matchups, the going gets a little easier for Memphis in the games before conference play begins. The Tigers will play Vanderbilt in the FedExForum on Saturday, December 23rd, at 3 p.m. CBS will have the coverage of the matchup.
What can Memphis expect out of Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt Roster Preview
Jerry Stackhouse is in his fifth season as the head coach for Vanderbilt. The former NBA star and G-League Coach of the Year (2017) is coming off back-to-back winning seasons for a program that has yet to see much success in the SEC.
The Commodores, however, have gotten off to a slow start this season with a 4-7 record through their first 11 games. They have lost three consecutive games to San Francisco, Texas Tech, and Western Carolina ahead of their matchup with Memphis.
Vanderbilt lost key contributors Liam Robbins (graduation) and Jordan Wright (transfer portal) this off-season from a team that made the NIT last season. Regardless, they play a deep rotation, with 14 players earning over seven minutes per game.
Backcourt Rotation
Vanderbilt’s star power comes from its backcourt. The Commodores played four guards in their starting lineup against Western Carolina with Ven-Allen Lubin – the team’s second-leading scorer – out with a groin injury. It is unknown whether or not he will suit up against Memphis.
Fifth-year senior Ezra Manjon is the leading scorer for Vanderbilt. He averages 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Manjon is a speedy guard who’s challenging to keep in front of. Despite being 6’0, he’s a good finisher around the rim. Manjon is a talented shot-creator and solid playmaker, but he isn’t the best perimeter shooter, only connecting on 31.3% of his three-point attempts.
Senior Tyrin Lawrence is Vanderbilt’s best player despite being the team’s third-leading scorer at 12 PPG. The 6’4 guard garnered significant attention in the transfer portal this off-season before deciding to return to Vanderbilt for his senior season. Lawrence had a breakout junior campaign, averaging 13.1 PPG on 50.2% shooting from the floor and 36% from beyond the arc. He was tremendous down the stretch of last season, shining during the SEC tournament and three NIT games. Lawrence is a downhill scorer with a physical build who can finish around the rim. He’s a good shooter and playmaker with the athleticism to make plays above the rim.
Fifth-year senior guard Evan Taylor rounds out the starting backcourt for Jerry Stackhouse. Taylor is a 6’6 wing who spent his first four collegiate seasons at Lehigh. He averages 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Taylor was a terrific shooter at Lehigh, as he shot above 40% from beyond the arc in his last two seasons. He, however, has struggled to maintain that same efficiency in a Vanderbilt uniform, shooting 29.8% from beyond the arc. At 6’6, Taylor started at power forward in the absence of Ven-Allen Lubin against Western Carolina.
Backcourt Depth
Jerry Stackhouse plays a lot of depth, particularly in the backcourt. Three guards earn over 14 minutes per game off the bench for the Commodores, and two more play over eight minutes per contest.
Freshman Jason Rivera-Torres is a name some might know. The 6’6 wing starred in Kevin Durant’s Apple TV show Swagger as one of the lead characters, Nick Mendez. Rivera-Torres is a talented basketball player as well. He’s a four-star recruit averaging 6.8 PPG off the bench for the Commodores in 14.7 minutes per game. Rivera-Torres is a three-level scorer who has shot 40.7% from beyond the arc this season.
Isaiah West is another key member of Vanderbilt’s freshmen class. The 6’2 guard averages 3.5 PPG on 51.9% shooting from the floor. West is a former three-star recruit who has started four games for the Commodores this season. He’s an athletic guard who contributes on the defensive end while being a solid shooter and overall offensive player. West should continue to thrive in more minutes this season and beyond.
Sophomore Paul Lewis is another solid young piece in the backcourt for Vanderbilt. The 6’2 guard averages 4.6 PPG and is the second leading assist-man for the Commodores, chipping in 2.3 per game. Lewis is a good playmaker and solid shooter whose efficiency numbers have taken a hit in his second season. After connecting on 15 of 38 three-point attempts last season, he’s made just 6-34 in an expanded role this year. With players in and out of the lineup, Lewis has made three starts for Vanderbilt so far.
Adding further depth to the backcourt are freshman Malik Presley (9.9 MPG) and sophomore Jordan Williams (8.0 MPG).
Frontcourt Rotation
With Ven-Allen Lubin’s potential absence, Vanderbilt’s already weak frontcourt takes another hit. Last month, the athletic department suspended sophomore forward Lee Dort after his arrest for aggravated assault. Against Texas Tech, sophomore forward Colin Smith injured his Achilles tendon and will undergo surgery. Smith will miss the remainder of the season. Furthermore, freshman forward Ja’Qualon Roberts did not play in the team’s last game against Western Carolina.
The lone frontcourt starter for the Commodores is freshman Carter Lang. The 6’9 forward averages 3.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the floor. Lang is a three-star recruit who has started six games for Vanderbilt this season. While not much of an offensive threat, Lang is a physical presence on the glass and the inside.
Frontcourt Depth
The absences and injuries in the frontcourt mean there isn’t much depth to speak of. The only known reserve frontcourt player available for Vanderbilt against Memphis is fifth-year senior Tasos Kamateros.
Kamateros is a 6’8 forward who spent his first four collegiate seasons at South Dakota. He’s been good for Vanderbilt this season, averaging 6.3 points per game on 52.4% shooting from the floor and 45.5% from beyond the arc. Kamateros is a versatile forward who can bang inside and stretch the floor. He’s connected on 15 of 33 three-point attempts this season.
Prediction
Following the “gauntlet” portion of Memphis’ non-conference schedule, it gets easier as we approach the holiday season. Vanderbilt is ranked 235th in KenPom and has struggled on the defensive end — the Commodores rank as the 258th team in the country in terms of Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.
That doesn’t mean Memphis has an easy win, as Vanderbilt will bring their ‘A Game’ to the FedExForum, looking to bounce back after three consecutive losses. Despite the absences in the frontcourt, the backcourt talent is undoubtedly there. While they have yet to play up to their standards this season, the trio of Ezra Manjon, Tyrin Lawrence, and Evan Taylor is talented. Memphis will have to key in on them if they hope to reach the ten-win mark on Saturday.
However, it’s safe to say that the offense has yet to show up for Jerry Stackhouse’s squad. Ranking 206th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, the Commodores average 67.8 points per contest and have shot below 40% from the floor as a team.
Vanderbilt will play a lot of bodies in this contest, especially at the guard position. But Memphis brings depth to the table, too, and the quality of it supersedes that of their SEC opponent.
With the home crowd, talent advantage, and the frontcourt absences of their opponent, expect a comfortable Tiger victory. Plus, Memphis will add a significant piece as Kansas State transfer Nae’Qwan Tomlin likely makes his Tiger debut. This game has the makings of one that will go Memphis’ way.
Final Score: Memphis 91, Vanderbilt 65.
