Sun Mar 22 01:10:00 UTC 2026: # Vanderbilt Advances to Second Round of NCAA Tournament, Overcoming McNeese
The Story:
Vanderbilt University secured its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012 with a 78-68 win over McNeese State on Thursday in Oklahoma City. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, the Commodores rallied to take control after halftime. Tyler Tanner led Vanderbilt with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The No. 5 seed Commodores will now face No. 4 seed Nebraska in the second round on Saturday.
Key Points:
* Vanderbilt (27-8) defeated McNeese (26-9) 78-68.
* Tyler Tanner scored 26 points for Vanderbilt.
* Vanderbilt shot 51% from the field and 85% (17 of 20) from the free-throw line.
* McNeese led for much of the first half.
* McNeese coach Bill Armstrong noted his team’s success in forcing turnovers and competing on the boards, but lamented missed opportunities down the stretch.
* Vanderbilt will play Nebraska in the second round.
Key Takeaways:
* Vanderbilt demonstrated resilience in overcoming an early deficit to secure the victory.
* Strong shooting percentages and free-throw performance were crucial for Vanderbilt’s win.
* McNeese’s inability to capitalize on their turnover advantage and shot volume ultimately cost them the game.
* Vanderbilt’s upcoming game against Nebraska will be a significant test of their tournament hopes.
* The victory marks a significant milestone for Vanderbilt’s basketball program, ending a decade-long NCAA Tournament win drought.
First Piper 