Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the coach's weekly radio show again tonight and sharing the major talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along live. Show starts at 6 ET. Stay tuned...
* Things he liked about win over Auburn: defended, rebounded, played fast, first team to the floor for loose balls. Everything they've been trying to get better at.
* Vandy's playing as well as anyone in the league right now, Cal says. Tom adds that they're averaging about nine 3s a game during their recent hot stretch. The big man, Robbins, is playing as well as anyone in the league. (Had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks Saturday against Florida.)
* Antonio Reeves is defending a lot better of late. It has helped his overall confidence on both ends of the floor. He used to let offense dictate whether he was confident, and getting beat repeatedly on D was affecting his offense at times.
* Oscar's extra attention to his defense has helped the whole unit get better. Took it to heart. Everyone looks more connected on that end of the floor now.
* On Senior Day... Hoping there's another good crowd on hand to recognize six guys who have contributed a lot to the program.
* On CJ Fredrick's rib... Everything is difficult with something like that, eating, sleeping, breathing. Good to have him back. Was not in good condition to play Saturday, but glad they got him some time out there.
* On Sahvir Wheeler... He didn't practice today. He's worked hard to get back at it. Uncertain what his status is for Senior Night for Vanderbilt. "It's killing him." The last time he played against Vanderbilt, he was a big impact on the game. "Makes us way better."
* Getting Oscar off the low block a little bit has not only helped his offensive game, but it's also kept opponents from putting three guys on him when a shot goes up and just wedging him on rebounds. Some of that was starting to affect him.
* Rupp was electric on Saturday, Cal said, and the Cats will need that again for the Vandy game. He sounds genuinely concerned about this one.
* On Jacob Toppin's elevated play... Says he's on him constantly about staying aggressive, being tough, and battling. "When he does that, he's as good as anybody in the country. When he tries to be cool, it doesn't go."
* Reeves was a guy who struggled to find his way after transferring in. He was used to dancing with the ball. He was a ball-stopper. And he never had to play much defense. "You can't play that way here." And he wasn't the only one being a ball-stopper at the beginning of the season. Had a bunch of them. That's why it took a while to get going. But the premium in college basketball right now is on shooting, and he can really shoot.
* Brennan Canada hasn't gotten much time in games this season, but he's been an unbelievable teammate and big part of their practices. The injuries have really made it hard to practice at times, and he's been a guy who can play all 5 positions in practice. Will be in the starting lineup against Vandy.
* Thiero is a guy who keeps growing. Cal thinks he may be 6-9 before long. And he’s got the instincts and feel of a guard. Likes the rebounding they are getting from Livingston and Adou at the 3. Unbelievable rebounding.
* Things he liked about win over Auburn: defended, rebounded, played fast, first team to the floor for loose balls. Everything they've been trying to get better at.
* Vandy's playing as well as anyone in the league right now, Cal says. Tom adds that they're averaging about nine 3s a game during their recent hot stretch. The big man, Robbins, is playing as well as anyone in the league. (Had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks Saturday against Florida.)
* Antonio Reeves is defending a lot better of late. It has helped his overall confidence on both ends of the floor. He used to let offense dictate whether he was confident, and getting beat repeatedly on D was affecting his offense at times.
* Oscar's extra attention to his defense has helped the whole unit get better. Took it to heart. Everyone looks more connected on that end of the floor now.
* On Senior Day... Hoping there's another good crowd on hand to recognize six guys who have contributed a lot to the program.
* On CJ Fredrick's rib... Everything is difficult with something like that, eating, sleeping, breathing. Good to have him back. Was not in good condition to play Saturday, but glad they got him some time out there.
* On Sahvir Wheeler... He didn't practice today. He's worked hard to get back at it. Uncertain what his status is for Senior Night for Vanderbilt. "It's killing him." The last time he played against Vanderbilt, he was a big impact on the game. "Makes us way better."
* Getting Oscar off the low block a little bit has not only helped his offensive game, but it's also kept opponents from putting three guys on him when a shot goes up and just wedging him on rebounds. Some of that was starting to affect him.
* Rupp was electric on Saturday, Cal said, and the Cats will need that again for the Vandy game. He sounds genuinely concerned about this one.
* On Jacob Toppin's elevated play... Says he's on him constantly about staying aggressive, being tough, and battling. "When he does that, he's as good as anybody in the country. When he tries to be cool, it doesn't go."
* Reeves was a guy who struggled to find his way after transferring in. He was used to dancing with the ball. He was a ball-stopper. And he never had to play much defense. "You can't play that way here." And he wasn't the only one being a ball-stopper at the beginning of the season. Had a bunch of them. That's why it took a while to get going. But the premium in college basketball right now is on shooting, and he can really shoot.
* Brennan Canada hasn't gotten much time in games this season, but he's been an unbelievable teammate and big part of their practices. The injuries have really made it hard to practice at times, and he's been a guy who can play all 5 positions in practice. Will be in the starting lineup against Vandy.
* Thiero is a guy who keeps growing. Cal thinks he may be 6-9 before long. And he’s got the instincts and feel of a guard. Likes the rebounding they are getting from Livingston and Adou at the 3. Unbelievable rebounding.
