(13) FLORIDA 67
VANDERBILT 77
FINAL
We finally get a home upset over a ranked opponent. On Senior Night. The guys playing their last home game all stepped up in a big way – Jeffrey Taylor and Brad Tinsley in particular just willed this team back in front of Florida and would not let up. You could tell the 44 Special wasn’t going home without the win – and the ESPN camera caught him in the last minute of the game blinking back tears and swallowing the odd sob.
These guys were the most heralded recruiting class in Vanderbilt history. And yet, not one of them has ever won a game in the NCAA tournament. You can see it in their eyes – midnight is coming, and they are going to do everything in their power to stop their clock striking twelve.
Since 2008, March has meant disaster for the Commodores – the Stallings era has meant a loss in every season finale bar one, and the team has yet to make it to the SEC title game. And then there’s the one-and-done streak. But for the first time all year, I’m starting to believe that if by life or death the Dores can stave off elimination, they will.
It’s going to be a big month.