Vanderbilt Deserves More Than March Madness Disappointment, Says Estes
Nebraska edged Vanderbilt 74-72 in Oklahoma City on a final shot that kissed the rim and fell short. The late miss by Tyler Tanner sealed a brutal end to a strong season for the Commodores.
Game summary
Vanderbilt led 72-70 in the final minute. Nebraska then scored twice to take the lead.
On the final possession, freshman Chandler Bing launched a hurried attempt. Bing had two points and one prior shot before that heave.
Key statistics
- Final score: Nebraska 74, Vanderbilt 72.
- Vanderbilt free throws: 11-for-19 (57.9%).
- Team free-throw percentage during season: Vanderbilt led the SEC at 79.4%.
- Nebraska field-goal percentage: 55.8% overall.
- Nebraska 3-pointers: 9-of-19.
- Vanderbilt 3-point attempts: 37, with 24 misses.
- Vanderbilt season wins: 27.
How missed opportunities mattered
Free throws and long-range misses proved costly. Vanderbilt’s poor night at the line reduced margin for error.
The Commodores created chances. They could not convert enough late possessions to close the game.
Seeding and site implications
Vanderbilt entered the tournament as a No. 5 seed. Many metrics suggested the team belonged higher.
The Commodores beat Florida by 17 at Bridgestone Arena the day before the selection show. They also had consecutive wins over Tennessee.
Alabama received a No. 4 seed despite losses, including one to Vanderbilt in January. The selection affected site placement.
The committee often favors top-four seeds for closer sites. Alabama played in Tampa. Vanderbilt traveled to Oklahoma City.
Atmosphere and aftermath
The Nebraska fan presence in the Thunder arena was intense and sustained. Television did not capture how loud it felt in person.
Coach Mark Byington lamented the final sequence. “I just want one play back,” he said after the loss.
Perspective
Vanderbilt’s season produced strong results and favorable metrics. Many will debate whether the team was under-seeded.
As columnist Gentry Estes noted, Vanderbilt deserves more than a simple March Madness disappointment, and the program will wrestle with the seeding and site choices.
Filmogaz.com coverage will follow the fallout and examine what this result means for Vanderbilt next season.
