\nVandy finishes at 2-10. Not pretty at all – the last time they were this bad was 2002, Bobby Johnson’s first year as coach – and at least then they had the potential of a freshman named Jay Cutler to hang their hopes on. This year, the injuries were just too much, and whatever idiot scheduled 12 straight weeks with no byes should be shot.\n<\/p>\n
\nBut Warren Norman wrote his name into the SEC record books, smashing Herschel Walker’s 30-year-old conference record for all-purpose yards by a freshman. The future has some promise.\n<\/p>\n
\nMore importantly, the Dores are shifting gears to basketball. And I was there Friday night, in beautiful Moraga, California, on the campus of St Mary’s College. Where the Gaels – West Coast Conference stalwarts and NCAA tournament threats – had only lost twice in the last three years. At first glance, you might dismiss their 3500-seat gym as a high school bandbox. But it’s LOUD and rowdy and the students are right on top of everything, and they’ll make you eat your assumptions. And you can run out to a 14-point lead in the second half, but you’ll escape with a 72-70 win and be happy to get away with it.\n<\/p>\n
\nThat’s a QUALITY victory when tournament time comes around. And with AJ Ogilvy and Brad Tinsley combining for 5 points, it’s good to know that guys like Jeffery “The 44 Killer” Taylor can fill it up. Also great was the fact that I attended with a LOT of Vandy alumni. Who knew that the Vanderbilt-Cal pairing was so common in this part of the world? A good time was had by all, if I do say so myself.\n<\/p>\n
\nIt was my first Vandy game in 12 years, and only my second or third college hoops game in as long. And I forgot how absolutely intoxicating it is – the roar of the crowd, the wail of the band, the indefatigable energy of the student section. I’ve said it over and over, but it bears repeating: football is for the alums. Basketball is for the students<\/em>. And it’s AWESOME.\n<\/p>\n \nOn to Maui!! WHO YA WIT!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vandy finishes at 2-10. Not pretty at all – the last time they were this bad was 2002, Bobby Johnson’s first year as coach – and at least then they had the potential of a freshman named Jay Cutler to hang their hopes on. This year, the injuries were just too much, and whatever idiot … <\/p>\n