In six years as the head coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Mike Anderson’s record at Bud Walton Arena, before last night’s game against the Vanderbilt Commodores, was 91-14. Wow.

With a stellar offensive first half and a superior effort on defense and the boards, VU basketball made it 91-15 with a tremendous 72-59 victory last night before 13,494 fans.

The Dores moved to 12-12 overall and 5-6 in the SEC, while the Hogs dropped to 17-7 and 6-5. We are on the road again Saturday @ Missouri, which defeated Arkansas @ home last Saturday, so we’ll be tested again. Game time is 2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET on the SEC Network.

We were shorthanded going in as Matthew Fisher-Davis was suspended for the game due to an athletic department violation. No word on what exactly happened with MFD, but it looks like only one game. Hopefully so, as we’ll need him for the stretch run in February and March. But the rules are the rules and all our players need to abide by them. 

Some amazing stats. In the first half, we were 10-for-15 from trifecta, 67%, we were 14-for-25, from the field, 56%, and held Arkansas to 7-for-28 from the field, 25%, and 1-for-10 from three, 10%. For the game we out-rebounded them 38-26, and they’re a very good rebounding team. We dropped off offensively in the second half somewhat, shooting 2-for-8 from three but we were still 10-for-21 from the field, 48%, so that was solid. They shot shot 49% in the second half and 5-for-10 from 3, and made it closer. But we led at halftime 39-18 and kept a comfortable lead throughout the game with our solid defense and rebounding. Coach Drew really liked our defense and the way we hit the boards. We’re usually a really good offensive team, but when we can play defense like that and rebound, we’re pretty dangerous. We were 12-for-18 from the stripe, 63% which is not our usual numbers, as we’re averaging 77% from the line, but we didn’t get many opportunities, so that was OK. Luke was 7-for-8 though. They were 5-for-8 from the stripe, 63%.

Individually, Nolan Cressler led all our scorers with 13 points. Nolan also added 8 boards to tie Jeff Roberson for the team lead in that category. NacFlow was super going to the hole with some beautiful drives and lay-ups, and he was 2-for-2 from distance. NacFlow is the most improved player on the team and playing super efficient, excellent basketball for us right now. We had four other players in double figures with Riley LaChance, JRobe and Luke Kornet adding 12 apiece, and Joe Toye chipping in 11.  Riley was 3-for-5 from triple and pulled down 7 boards. Riley and JRobe are super efficient players for us right now, really solid basketball players. Luke was Luke, outstanding as usual. Luke looks like he’ll be in the NBA next year, and could have a really solid career there. But there’s a lot of time left in this season and he’s solely focused on this team. Luke added 4 boards and 3 blocks. He’s an enforcer in the middle. Joe is playing very well, too. If we can get MFD back on Saturday and he digs in, we’ve got a chance to end the regular season with a lot of momentum heading into the SEC tournament, March 8-12th, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashvegas. 

Like where the team is at. Love the way we’re not only shooting the 3, but the way we’re now aggressive to the basket and scoring in the paint. We’re just a much more aggressive, confident team now. We believe we can win every time out. Our defense is so much better and our rebounding has improved exponentially. 

So I really like where our team is at heading into Missouri. Another key game Saturday. Missouri is @ A&M tonight at 7:30 CT/8:30 ET on the SEC Network. They defeated Arkansas 83-78 last Saturday. They’re a pretty good team, very athletic, so we’ll have to bring our hard hats for that one. Like where we’re at though. We lost a tough one @ home to Ole Miss last Saturday, 81-74, but we’ve won 4 of our last 6 and playing good basketball right now.

Football

I’m going up to Nashville tomorrow and will be interviewing Coach Mason tomorrow afternoon and then be in a sportswriters conference tomorrow through Saturday. Will have Coach Mason’s interview up on Monday and then interviews with Vanderbilt men’s golf coach Scott Limbaugh on Wednesday, and Vanderbilt women’s tennis coach Geoff McDonald on Friday. Coach Limbaugh led the golf team to a No.1 ranking in the fall according to Golfstat.com the premier golf online site in the business. He’s got a super team. Geoff has another excellent team. I think you’ll enjoy those.

 I will talk to Coach Mason about the 2017 recruiting class and the prospects for what looks like a very promising 2017 campaign, with a lot of our talented vets back,  and some younger players who look like they could be special.

Will hit ya back on Monday. I’ve also attached a video from the 2008 season that really charged me up for 2017. I hope you’ll like it. Our stellar inside linebackers coach Chris Marve is in it. Have an outstanding rest of your week. Thanks.