Alabama @ Vanderbilt
Time: 8 p.m.

Where: Memorial Gym (14,000+ capacity) Nashvegas

TV: ESPN2

Records: Alabama (7-1 SEC, 15-7 overall) RPI: 96

No.23/24 Vanderbilt(AP, ESPN polls) (16-6, 4-4) RPI:20

The Key Players:

‘Bama: JaMychal Green (6’8″ 228, Jr. 15.6 ppg, 7.5 rbg), Tony Mitchell (6’6″ 210, soph. 15.3, 7.5), Trevor Releford (6’1″, 180 frosh. 9.9 ppg. 78 assists), Charvez Davis (6’3″, 186, Sr. 9.1 ppg, 47-124 trifecta, 37%), Senario Hillman (6’2″, 195, Sr. 8 ppg), Chris Hines (6’8″ 227, Sr. 5.1 ppg, 6.5 rbg), Andrew Steele (6’4″, 230 redshirt soph. 3.8 ppg)

Vandy: John Jenkins (6’4, 220 soph. 19.2 ppg, 63-154 trifecta 40%, 104-115 fts 90%) Jeffrey Taylor (6’7″, 225, Jr. 14.9 ppg, 5.2 rbg) Festus Ezeli12.8 ppg, 6.1 rbg), Brad Tinsley (6’3″, 210, Jr. 10.5 ppg, 100 assists, 50 turnovers), Rod Odom (6’9″, 215, Frosh. 4.7 ppg, 23-54 trifecta, 42%), Lance Golbourne (6’8″, 230, Jr. 7.7 ppg, 7.5 rbg), Steve Tchiengang (6’9″, 245, Jr. 5.2 ppg. 3.8 rbg).

Analysis: For ‘Bama to win they’ve got to defend like they’ve been defending and put pressure on the ‘Dores in the backcourt. If they can force 15 to 20 turnovers and win the battle of the boards, they’ve got a shot. The team sank 10 of 10 free throws in overtime last Saturday to upset Tennessee, 65-60. Shooting 72% from the line. If Green can get to the line, getting Ezeli and Tchiengang in foul trouble, and make his free throws, that would help Tide. Tony Mitchell a key factor. He will be going against another terrific athlete in Jeff Taylor of Vandy. They are probably the two best athletes in the SEC. Who wins that battle could determine the outcome. Taylor can be tentative at times going to the hole, but has improved his three point shooting. If Mitchell can win the battle with Taylor, that would help the Tide’s chances. Trevor Releford, the Tide’s frosh point guard, will probably have the quickness advantage over whoever guards him. Could be John Jenkins or Brad Tinsley, both good players, but not as quick as Releford. If Releford can drive to the basket and sink layups or pass it to Green or Mitchell for easy scores, Tide will be in good shape. Also, the outside shooting for Tide could be a factor. If Charvez Davis, Andrew Steele and Releford can sink some threes, that would help.

For Vandy to win they have to handle the Tide’s pressure because it’s coming. How Brad Tinsley and his backup, Kyle Fuller, take care of the ball  will be a big factor in this game. Ezeli and Tchiengang need to stay out of foul trouble and hold their  own on the boards. Tchiengang and Lance Golbourne, a great rebounder, have both battled with  bad ankles and they are key players on the interior for the ‘Dores, so we’ll see if the lingering effects of their  injuries play a factor at all. Jenkins needs to shoot well from three of course. He usually does, maybe one of the best pure shooters in the country, he has figured out how to get himself open off screens and sprinting around on the floor. He’s also gotten pretty good at driving to the basket. And Jeff Taylor is always a factor for Vandy. How well he plays both on offense and defense could determine the outcome of this game. Tinsley can sink some threes too, as well as the emerging freshman Rod Odom.

Key matchups: 1. Taylor vs. Mitchell; 2. Ezeli vs. Green 3. Tinsley vs. Releford

Coaching: Anthony Grant has brought this team a long way in the last two years. He has his players committed to defense and they lead the SEC in scoring defense. They are relentless on the defensive end. If they’re scoring in the middle with Green and and Mitchell and Releford, Davis and Steele are hitting their outside shots, ‘Bama tough to beat. Grant done a terrific job and he’s a first class guy.

Kevin Stallings: He’s in his 12th season at Vandy and is 213-137 as coach of the ‘Dores. He has led Vandy to two Sweet 16 appearances in 2004 and 2007 and was a no call on a Georgetown walk of making it to the Elite Eight in 2007. He’s done a tremendous job at Vandy and every one of his players who have played for him have graduated. Pretty phenomenal. He’s a great competitor and is dedicated to his players. Can work it in the half court and also play up tempo. I would say he’s a better offensive coach than defensive coach. He always has great scorers.

Coaching edge: Vandy barely

Final Analysis: Should be a classic SEC showdown in the Music City. Vanderbilt really needs this game to keep pace in the SEC East. Alabama has to keep winning to keep their NCAA tourney hopes alive. Key game for both squads. Both teams are very athletic. If Vandy can handle Bama’s pressure, and win or stay even on the boards, and shoot well enough, they’ll win. If Tide can put the clamps down on defense and shoot well enough themselves in the middle with Green and Mitchell and outside with Releford, Davis, Mitchell and Hillman, they get it done. But I’ve got to go with the home team. Alabama hasn’t beaten Vandy in a long time in Memorial Gym. This is one they can get because they are a good team and becoming a very good team, but I’m going with the Dores in a tight one that may go into overtime.

Vandy 75, Alabama 73 overtime

(Tony Mitchell of ‘Bama, left, and John Jenkins of Vandy are critical to their team’s success tonight.)