2010-2011 Men's Basketball Depth Chart

by Train Island on Apr 13, 2010 1:16 PM EDT in Vanderbilt Commodores Basketball

With the losses of A.J. Ogilvy and Jermaine Beal, the Commodores will look a little different next fall. Here's a look at their projected lineup for the 2010-2011 season:

2010-2011 Vanderbilt Projected Depth Chart
	Starters	Year	Reserves	Year	Reserves	Year
PG	Brad Tinsley	Jr.	Kyle Fuller	Fr.
SG	John Jenkins	Soph.	Jordan Smart (?)	RS Soph.
SF	Jeffery Taylor	Jr.	Lance Goulbourne	Jr.	Rod Odom	Fr.
PF	Andre Walker	RS Jr.	Steve Tchiengang	Jr.	Darshawn McClellan	Sr.
C	Festus Ezeli	RS Jr.	Josh Henderson	Fr.

The first thing that jumps out is the team's lack of depth at the guard positions. While Kyle Fuller looks capable of handling backup duties based on his successful senior year of high school, there's little beyond him at the 1/2 positions. Players like Jordan Smart, and Chris Meriwether (should he return) might contribute, but little is expected of these walk-ons, who are unlikely to see rotation minutes. Hopefully Kevin Stallings can pull another late-season recruiting coup to bring another backup guard into the fold for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt has the opposite problem at the 3/4, where they'll be loaded with athletic combo forwards. Thanks to the depth there, guys like Taylor, Goulbourne, and possible even recruit Odom could see minutes at shooting guard or in a three forward set to alleviate the shallow pool at guard. Tchiengang and McClellan will be especially important in 2011 to provide interior size and muscle should Festus Ezeli end up in foul trouble. Henderson, an incoming freshman, will be a true x-factor and is likely to see big minutes as the team's only legit center behind Ezeli. The first-year from Virginia has legit height, but will have to bulk up to handle NCAA play - although he might not have much time to develop before getting thrown into the fire.

In all, the Commodores will boast a solid (and potential-laden) starting five along with two proven bench contributors and three legit recruits that will be given the chance to step in and make an impact right away. It will be interesting to see how the absences of Ogilvy and Beal affect the team - and to see who will replace the leadership and scoring that the duo provided. The team has some holes, but their strengths are legitimate for a young team, and if they can develop as a team, they'll be a force within the SEC. 2010-2011 will be a good year - and if they can hold on to Jenkins and Taylor for 2012, it could be the bridge to a great year. It's a tall order, but for a team as young and talented as this, it's entirely possible.

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We may lose post-scoring, but hopefully defensive rebounding will jump

Without A.J. in the post, we most certainly will lose post-scoring. Festus is still very raw offensively. I’m holding out hope that Stevie Thunder will make a big jump and carry some scoring load, but certainly can’t count on him to put up 26 point games like A.J. did. However, we may not need him to.

Tinsley, Jenkins, and Taylor will have to carry much of the offensive load. My hope is that losing A.J., while crushing for finesse post play, will lead to greater athleticism on the floor such that we can start winning these battles on the boards. If we can increase second chance opportunities, we can offset what we lose with A.J. Having four long athletic wings on the team, (Taylor, Walker, Goulbourne, Odom), and two big bodies in the post (Festus, Stevie Thunder) will hopefully lead to a much improved performance on the glass. This will make our defense better as well since we can end possessions.

But the real question is where the scoring will come from, and that means that we need at least two and probably three players besides Tinsley and Jenkins (and we need Tinsley to find his shot again) to be able to bury things from 15 feet and out. One of those guys MUST be Taylor. The other two have to come from the Walker, Steve T., Goulbourne, Odom group.

by Stanimal@VSL on Apr 14, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

The solution to your SG problem is on its way

if rumors are true, in Husky SG Elston Turner Jr. ET was a key part in the Huskies’ late-season charge—without him, we don’t make the NCAAs, we don’t beat Marquette—but next year’s team looks to be even deeper at guard and he felt he was being pigeonholed as a long-range shooter, not getting to show all of his game. He’s a good player, and rumor is he’s on his way to Vandy. Sounds like y’all could use him, for all your talent.

http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2010/4/15/1424217/elston-turner-jr-is-transferring

by HuskyPower on Apr 15, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome tip.

Stallings has done well with getting the most out of his transfers, and Turner looks like the type of shooting guard that thrives in the Vandy system. A streaky, high-volume type of player that is dangerous from behind the arc. In the worst case scenario (for him), he gets at least 20 minutes per game backing up Jenkins and Taylor in that short guard rotation.

by Train Island on Apr 15, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions