I'll be sure to update this post with any additional stories that I come across between now and the start. Until then, know that the game thread will go live around 10.00 CT tomorrow morning. Make sure to swing by Stat-King to weigh in on the Murray St. game.
Game Previews
Commodores and Racers clash at 1:30 p.m. CT - VANDERBILT OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
NCAA West Regional: Vanderbilt - Murray State Preview | Dore Posts
The Audacity of Hoops: Similarity Previews: 1st Round
SEC fans can’t decide whether or not Vandy should be scared of Murray State. These numbers say “not.” Vanderbilt’s offense has performed well against turnover-reliant defenses like Tennessee and Missouri, while Murray State’s offense hasn’t really shown up in most of their games against even halfway decent defenses. My system loves Vandy in this one
At NCAA tourney, ‘Dores seem stuck on Sweet Sixteen | Nashville City Paper
Vanderbilt to face nearby foe at far away place in NCAA's first round | Nashville City Paper
MSU's Kennedy talks about first-round matchup | VandySports.com (Rivals - Premium)
NCAA: We’re taking Murray State seriously, but… | Save the Shield!
Vandy men guard against unlucky 13 seed | The Tennessean
How We Got Here: A Brief Recap of Vanderbilt's Season So Far | Vanderbilt Sports Line
Uncomfortably warm pendant light fixture on: AJ Ogilvy | The Vanderbilt Vendidad
More after the jump...
Jenkins knows player whose mother died | The Tennessean
Murray State faces tough matchup | The Tennessean
VU tourney opener a home game for Ezeli | Nashville City Paper
Vanderbilt should surprise new opponent | The Tennessean
VUcommodores.com Blog: Golden State homecoming
VUcommodores.com Blog: Tuesday's photos from San Jose
Murray St. Preview: Wake Up and Dig Deep | VandyMania.com (Scout - Premium)
Previewing Vanderbilt and Murray State | VandySports.com (Rivals - Premium)
Stallings, Vandy ready for San Jose | VandySports.com (Rivals - Premium)
NCAA tournament: Best case/worst case scenarios for 64 teams - ESPN
Vanderbilt (4) Best Case: Fluid offense carries Commodores past Murray State and Butler. Then Festus Ezeli becomes the most celebrated Festus since "Gunsmoke" when his backdoor layup in the closing seconds upsets Syracuse and sends the Commodores to their first regional final since 1965. Underrated coach Kevin Stallings becomes a hero to follicularly challenged men everywhere. Captivated media wants to write about how smart Vandy players are; Vandy players want to talk about basketball. On the other side of the country, Tennessee is blitzed by San Diego State. Worst Case:: Flatlining Vandy team that has lost two of its last three games, both against nontourney teams, finds trouble against Murray. Big man A.J. Ogilvy shies away from physical stuff in the paint. Guards cannot produce enough pressure on Racers backcourt. Stallings follows 2008 first-round pratfall as a No. 4 seed (Siena then) with another one now. Players must return to class -- and class is hard. Meanwhile, Tennessee roars off to the Final Four.
Storming the Floor's Regional Previews: The West - Storming The Floor
#4 Vanderbilt vs. #13 Murray St. The Commodores' top post player, Aussie center A.J. Ogilvy, is coming off of the worst game of his career--a 0-4 night against Mississippi State. Happily for him, Jarvis Varnado is confined to the NIT. Murray St. doesn't have anyone with the height or bulk to contend with Ogilvy, who should be able to pair with fellow post man Jeffery Taylor to either dominate the game, or draw enough attention to get open shots for his 'mates. (That's Aussie-talk!) The Racers feature a disturbingly balanced attack--five players average between 10.3 and 10.6 points per game.
Freeda Simmons' Death Hits Both Murray State, Vanderbilt Hard -- NCAABB FanHouse
NCAA West Regional: Do you know the way to San Jose? | Dore Posts
Vanderbilt and Murray State discuss matchup - VANDERBILT OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Vanderbilt's A.J. Ogilvy makes Commodores go | The Tennessean
Vanderbilt vs. Murray State preview | The Tennessean
Murray State guard B.J. Jenkins feels the pain of OVC title | The Tennessean
VUcommodores.com Blog: Beal on a mission
VUcommodores.com Blog: Wednesday's photos from San Jose
VUcommodores.com Blog: The Duffy and Dre Report
VUcommodores.com Blog: Tinsley gaining confidence on injured knee
VUcommodores.com Blog: Flip It: The interview room
VUcommodores.com Blog: Sound Bites: Murray State game
Random observations from practice day in San Jose at Vanderbilt | Tennessean Blogs
Will a 12-day layoff help or hurt Murray State? | Tennessean Blogs
Commodores will have to fight inexperience in NCAA opener | Nashville City Paper