Links: 01.28.2010 Edition

ATB: Vandy is Dandy in Knoxville | Rush The Court

Behold, the value of senior leadership.  On a night when A.J. Ogilvy and Jeffrey Taylor could only combine for 22 points on 7-18 shooting, senior Jermaine Beal stepped up to lead Vanderbilt to a message-sending road win in one of the toughest places to play in America.  The Commodores earned their tenth straight win behind Beal’s 25 points on 8-12 from the field, which included 4-6 from beyond the arc.  Those four treys were half of Vandy’s total of eight, which came on 14 attempts (57.1%).  Tennessee, by contrast, could only manage 6-20 (30%) from three, often settling for shots from deep when there were better ones to be had.  J.P. Prince led UT with 22/4/3, and Wayne Chism owned the boards in this physical game, pulling down 16 boards in addition to his eight points.  Still, Vanderbilt was able to out-rebound the Vols, 37-35 — a major reason why Tennessee just suffered their first home loss of the season.  At the start of last night, Kentucky was the only undefeated team in the nation; now, Vanderbilt is the only undefeated team (5-0) in the SEC, a game ahead of UK in the East.  Eleven days ago, the Commodores did what Kentucky couldn’t — win at South Carolina — but they’ll visit Lexington this Saturday.

Column: Depth is key to Vanderbilt's road victories | The Tennessean

What I also saw heavily playing into the equation was a toughness that has not always been present in Vanderbilt's SEC road games in the recent past. The Commodores' grit factor was a must as they rallied late to topple the Vols 85-76, sending a Thompson-Boling crowd of 19,103 home early. It was chippy at times, but Vanderbilt refused to back down.

Parrish: The Thoughts | CBSSports.com

Vanderbilt got the resume-building win that's kept it out of the Top 25 (and one), and that the victory came against a rival on the road made it that much bigger. The Commodores went to Thompson-Boling Arena and recorded an 85-76 win over Tennessee, which had previously topped Kansas and Ole Miss at home. Kevin Stallings' team moved to16-3 overall, 5-0 in the SEC. And you don't even have to ask, Vandy fans. Yes, I'll (finally) rank the Commodores Sunday regardless of what happens this weekend at Kentucky.

Fox Sports Community > goodmanonfox | Fox Sports

FOXSPORTS.COM STUD OF THE NIGHT: Vanderbilt senior guard Jermaine Beal, who scored 25 points and didn’t commit a single turnover in 38 minutes to lead the Commodores to a 85-76 win against Tennessee in Knoxville.

VUcommodores.com Blog: National media reacts to VU's win

An Open Letter To The Nation’s Student Ticketholders | Rush The Court

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - NCAA Basketball - ESPN

14) Vanderbilt

This week's big mover earned its 10th straight win -- and third SEC road win in four tries -- at Tennessee. The road doesn't get any easier, as the Commodores visit Lexington on Saturday.

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - NCAA Basketball - ESPN

Voters:

Jay Bilas - 17
Pat Forde - 16
Fran Fraschilla - 10
Doug Gottlieb - 14
Andy Katz - 12
Joe Lunardi - 13
Dana O'Neil - 17
Mark Schlabach - 16
Dick Vitale - 11
Jay Williams - 19