Kevin Stalling's career on the line.

[TNCatfanforever]

If we beat them at home they are out of the tourney unless they win the SEC tourney. The players are desperate, Stallings is hanging on by a thread...their fans are desperate...It will be packed....lots of UK fans...but the crowd will be wild and loud...It will be a battle...We have to defend the three and keep Jones somewhat in check...we have to hit threes...they will play a lot of zone because they cannot matchup with Murray and Ullis...It will be battle and a great game...Vandy needs it more than us...road games are tough...Vandy is talented and has underachieved in fact they are two buzzer beaters away from being tied for first...we have had some great teams lose in Nashville...It will come down the the wire. A loss does not hurt us at all at this point but I sure would like a win.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I don't wanna hear "They are this and this" from being tied from first. UK should be a 1 loss SEC team right now, and at worse a 3 loss one with a 3 game lead one veryone with 3 games to play.

It will be a battle because of the refs, nothing more, nothing less. They gave them a +19 at Rupp, expect +30 at Nashville. It will be a close game due to that alone. No credit to Vandy at all from me.

 

[uky8unc5]

Vandy needs to embrace a guy who has elevated their program during his tenure. They are "every third year" because of their academics and lack of recruiting base.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

I don't wanna hear "They are this and this" from being tied from first. UK should be a 1 loss SEC team right now, and at worse a 3 loss one with a 3 game lead one veryone with 3 games to play.

It will be a battle because of the refs, nothing more, nothing less. They gave them a +19 at Rupp, expect +30 at Nashville. It will be a close game due to that alone. No credit to Vandy at all from me.

I certainly agree with you about our record but just making the point about our current record. Vandy lost on a buzzer beater to MSU and Ark. I certainly know we lost one to A&M. We had horrible losses at Auburn and UT. We got spanked at LSU and blew our chance at A@M with a foolish technical.

 

[Friedas_Boss]

Not true at all. If we win 2 of our remaining 3, we are a virtual lock for the NCAA Tourney.

To OP's point, I think this game is easier than winning at aTm, so it's a huge game for us and Stallings.

 

[Deli owl]

He's fine and a good coach for them.

 

[willievic]

Stalling's is a good coach. I think it would be a big mistake to let him go. If they do, he will get a good job very shortly.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Friedas_Boss]

Vandy needs to embrace a guy who has elevated their program during his tenure. They are "every third year" because of their academics and lack of recruiting base.

If we miss the tourney this year, that will be 4 years in a row and that is inexcusable. I'm not anti Stallings at all, but if he can't get this team to the Big Dance, he needs to be fired.

 

[turkeywildturkey]

If we beat them at home they are out of the tourney unless they win the SEC tourney. The players are desperate, Stallings is hanging on by a thread...their fans are desperate...It will be packed....lots of UK fans...but the crowd will be wild and loud...It will be a battle...We have to defend the three and keep Jones somewhat in check...we have to hit threes...they will play a lot of zone because they cannot matchup with Murray and Ullis...It will be battle and a great game...Vandy needs it more than us...road games are tough...Vandy is talented and has underachieved in fact they are two buzzer beaters away from being tied for first...we have had some great teams lose in Nashville...It will come down the the wire. A loss does not hurt us at all at this point but I sure would like a win.

No way they get rid of Stallings. He's a hell of a coach. They've just had a down year. It happens.

 

[hotelblue]

if uk wins vandy is 17-12 with 9 sec losses and no good ooc wins at all. if they win 2 of 3 that would make them 19-13 with 10 sec losses. so. how in hates is that tourney worthy? i'll answer that. it's not. beat uk and win two more after, and probably a third in the sect and then you're in. that's reality. but just like every team, even if vandy beats uk they will likely lose after that. good luck.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

losing to a top 10 RPI team wont knock them down any. It will actually help their RPI some.

 

[KentuckyRLD]

I see nothing to make me think Stallings is in danger of losing his job no matter how the rest of the season goes for him. He has done well at Vandy and unless he decides to leave I think he will be there for some time to come.

 

[The_Answer1313]

So currently Vandy is sitting at top of the next four teams out on Bracket Matrix.

Out of 100 brackets, they are in just 10 of them current.

While I'm not entirely sure they would have to win the SEC Tourny, they would have to make a deep run IMO.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Vandy has been somewhat unlucky in conference play

Team Off Eff Def Eff Difference
Kentucky 117.8 97.9 19.9
Texas A&M 106.8 98.6 8.2
Vanderbilt 107.6 99.5 8.1
Florida 102.4 101.1 1.3
Arkansas 105.4 104.5 0.9
Mississippi 104.4 104.3 0.1
Mississippi St. 104.1 104.1 0
LSU 105.4 105.5 -0.1
Tennessee 105.7 105.8 -0.1
South Carolina 101.1 102.3 -1.2
Alabama 100.5 103.8 -3.3
Georgia 94.9 99.7 -4.8
Missouri 96.1 109.4 -13.3
Auburn 92 108.3 -16.3

The efficiency margin suggests they are closer to the top of the SEC.
If South Carolina and Florida are gonna get in when they can't even outscore or barely outscore their SEC opponents, then Vanderbilt should be considered.

 

[Ugoff]

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Somebody get that T-shirt company on the line.

 

[NCukcat62]

Vandy will get into the tournament, especially with their win last night. I only see 5 teams making it from the sec. U.K, aTm, S. Carolina, Vandy and Florida. Alabama could get in if they win the rest.

 

[Friedas_Boss]

if uk wins vandy is 17-12 with 9 sec losses and no good ooc wins at all. if they win 2 of 3 that would make them 19-13 with 10 sec losses. so. how in hates is that tourney worthy? i'll answer that. it's not. beat uk and win two more after, and probably a third in the sect and then you're in. that's reality. but just like every team, even if vandy beats uk they will likely lose after that. good luck.

Your numbers are off and you probably don't keep up with the bubble stuff like I do (y'all are never on the bubble).

Very weak bubble, we have some good wins, we pass the eye test, our computer numbers are good (Kenpom 23, BPI 26, Sagarin 20, RPI 53 (RPI is a joke)).

 

[spotter34]

I think this will be the toughest Conference road game of the year. We'll need a lot of things to fall into place to walk out of there with a "W".

 

[spotter34]

Your numbers are off and you probably don't keep up with the bubble stuff like I do (y'all are never on the bubble).

Very weak bubble, we have some good wins, we pass the eye test, our computer numbers are good (Kenpom 23, BPI 26, Sagarin 20, RPI 53 (RPI is a joke)).

Hey, I agree with you on something; the RPI is a joke.

 

[Smashcat]

UK is a pretty poor 5-7 away. If we play well, we win. If we play poorly, we lose. I think Vandy is soft. Glad Poythress is back. He gives us a good physical edge in this game.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

I do hope if we lose our fans dont blame it on the benches. The floor is the same length and the goals are ten feet. It is a great shooters gym and a historic place to play. I watched tons of games in there and it is weird but a great college atmosphere when the Cats come to town....I am sure it will be shirt night, bubble head night or something.

 

[thepeopleschampion13]

if uk wins vandy is 17-12 with 9 sec losses and no good ooc wins at all.

A loss to UK counts as 3 conference losses? So we go from our current SEC record of 9-6 to 9-9 with a loss on Saturday. Man, this game is huge.

 

[KMKAT]

Vandy has 3 games left, us, Tenn & A&M.....I can see them losing all 3.

If they beat us and lose the other 2, they may make the tournament.

3 losses and that great team that was supposed to give us fits gets to continue playing in the NIT.

Stallings is okay, but they haven't done anything special under him. One SEC tournament title? Okay, give him a raise and keep him.

 

[NCukcat62]

I do hope if we lose our fans dont blame it on the benches. The floor is the same length and the goals are ten feet. It is a great shooters gym and a historic place to play. I watched tons of games in there and it is weird but a great college atmosphere when the Cats come to town....I am sure it will be shirt night, bubble head night or something.

We won't lose on Saturday. We'll have our full arsenal.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I think it's crazy that Vandy might not make it but right now UF and USC are safely in.

 

[thepeopleschampion13]

I think it's crazy that Vandy might not make it but right now UF and USC are safely in.

It's even crazier when you see Florida's resume' compared to Vanderbilt's. Florida has one significant win in the non-conference over WVA. Otherwise, the record is identical except Vanderbilt swept them.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I like Stallings. He's a good coach. Plus, he's kind of weird looking. He looks like something - A character or an animal, but I haven't put together what or who yet.

 

[Katwatcher]

Stalling's is a good coach. I think it would be a big mistake to let him go. If they do, he will get a good job very shortly.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

I agree, Stalling's always has a good game plan for UK. I don't believe his job is in jeopardy at all. If UK is not ready to play we could easily lose.

 

[hotelblue]

A loss to UK counts as 3 conference losses? So we go from our current SEC record of 9-6 to 9-9 with a loss on Saturday. Man, this game is huge.

lol. sorry. i searched ESPN and counted the sec losses. maybe it was last year lol.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

I agree, Stalling's always has a good game plan for UK. I don't believe his job is in jeopardy at all. If UK is not ready to play we could easily lose.

He is the best I have seen at drawing up a play coming out of timeouts or for last second shots.

 

[Floydboy12]

As much as I despise Stallings whiny ass, he is the best coach they have ever had. They would be crazy to let him go.

 

[CloverforkCat]

I see nothing to make me think Stallings is in danger of losing his job no matter how the rest of the season goes for him. He has done well at Vandy and unless he decides to leave I think he will be there for some time to come.

Exactly, he has done a fine job at a tough school. Who could Vandy hire that would do that much better ?

 

[Bkocats]

UK is a pretty poor 5-7 away. If we play well, we win. If we play poorly, we lose. I think Vandy is soft. Glad Poythress is back. He gives us a good physical edge in this game.

is it wrong to halfway hope that we walk out with a close win? I think this team needs that, right now; IIIRC, we've either won big, or lost on the road. A close road win would do wonders for confidence, IMO

and yeah - agree with those saying Stallings shouldn't be fired.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

you guys also have to remember that not only is the bubble kind of weak this year..... but two teams that would be guaranteed NCAAT at large teams are on a post season ban in SMU & UL. that means 2 more bubble teams will make it in ...

 

[jrm693]

If we miss the tourney this year, that will be 4 years in a row and that is inexcusable. I'm not anti Stallings at all, but if he can't get this team to the Big Dance, he needs to be fired.

I thought he really missed out with the Festus Ezeli team that beat our 2012 National Champs in the SEC tournament I thought we would likely face Vandy again in the Final Four that season, but you have a point this team should be a NCAA tournament lock not a bubble team...maybe you could trade him for Rick Byrd. I greatly pleased with this teams performance of late(UK) but Vanderbilt is a very tough place for us to play.

 

[.S&C.]

Stallings has been good for Vandy, but this will be four straight misses. Vandy is pretty much a basketball school. They can't keep allowing it.

Having said that, if you're candy, you better have the right guy waiting. You don't fire stallings without already knowing who you're hiring.

 

[uky8unc5]

If we miss the tourney this year, that will be 4 years in a row and that is inexcusable. I'm not anti Stallings at all, but if he can't get this team to the Big Dance, he needs to be fired.

I appreciate that. But from my chair Stallings has instilled a system at Vandy (using foreign players) that has been pretty entertaining. With UK, UT, Memphis and others picking off the prospects, it has to be hard to sell the program. But I respect the fact that you are living it.

 

[3kidsandme]

If we miss the tourney this year, that will be 4 years in a row and that is inexcusable. I'm not anti Stallings at all, but if he can't get this team to the Big Dance, he needs to be fired.

I agree with you. You can't miss the tourney 4 years in a row and keep your coach. This Vandy team has 3 nba players on it. At worse they should be a top 25 team. Stallings has done some good things but it is a show me business. The sec has not been a juggernaut the last 4 years either. In saying all this Vandy is a tourney team in my eyes. You lose on the road in other conferences they act like you did not even lose.

 

[CharlieT71059]

Hes not a great coach

 

[2Adulterers]

I agree, Stalling's always has a good game plan for UK. I don't believe his job is in jeopardy at all. If UK is not ready to play we could easily lose.

Vandy Chancellor refuses to say he'll be back..