Joe Lunardi Predicts an NCAA Tournament in Bryce Drew's First Season at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt won't have All-SEC point guard next season. The Commodores probably won't have All-SEC center Damian Jones, either.

Still, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi likes Bryce Drew's chances to make the NCAA Tournament in his first season in Nashville. He's got the Commodores as a No. 9 seed in his way, way too early projection for the 2017 dance. They'd play a familiar opponent -- 2016 opponent Texas.

Here's how Lunardi projects Vanderbilt in the West Region:

Drew may not have Baldwin or Jones at his disposal, but he'll still inherit a talented roster next winter. His team will be led by upperclassmen like Luke Kornet, Jeff Roberson, and Matthew Fisher-Davis. They'll be bolstered by emerging young players like Joe Toye, Camron Justice, Samir Sehic, D'Jery Baptiste, and Peyton Willis. If Drew can balance Kornet's interior play with the shooting of guys like Roberson, Fisher-Davis, and Justice, he'll keep the Commodores near the top of the SEC standings.