Ten days ago, Vanderbilt's men's basketballt team defeated Oregon in a thriller, with a 30 foot running jumper by Mario Moore to squeak past the Ducks by a single point. The Commodores had no reason to win that game, as their defense did not come to play. They allowed 21 offensive rebounds, leading to way too many second chance points for Oregon. The only reason Vanderbilt was in any position to win that game was because of superb shooting on the offensive side, particularly from transfer Derrick Byars. That was ten days ago. Ten days that Vanderbilt would have to work on the problems on defense before their next match, which would be against Cincinnati, a team that I view as very equal to Oregon, whom I also view as very equal to Vanderbilt.

That brings us to today, the culmination of the work that the Commodores have put in in practice for ten days. The chance for Vandy to show that they are a better defensive team than they showed against Oregon, and the chance for their shooters to show off and handle Cincinnati at Memorial Gymnasium, the most interesting and difficult gym for visitors in the country.

Vanderbilt's shooters showed off their skill, particularly Byars again, putting up 23 points on his own, but three other Commodores reached double figures as well as Vandy put up 83 points. A score that should never be topped when you play on your home court. But the defense had not improved themselves from what they had shown ten days prior. Cincinnati finished the day shooting over 50% from the field and near 50% from 3-pt. range. The Bearcats also got to the foul line 30 times, thanks to 19 Vanderbilt fouls. Its clear to see why this team will struggle when they reach SEC play.

For the Commodores, this was their last test at home in the non-conference schedule. Aside from tough road games against Dayton and Georgia Tech, Vandy should win out in their non-conference schedule and enter SEC play with a solid record. That leaves them 27 days to their SEC opener against Auburn. A game in which they must show that their defense has improved, because they immediately travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats just three days later. If those 27 days go by and the defense doesn't improve the way it didn't over the past 10 days, the Commodors will struggle throughout conference play and an NCAA tournament bid will be no guarantee. Its true, Vanderbilt can shoot with almost any team in the country, but defense is what will win them games in the SEC.