Vanderbilt Preview Capsule

Vanderbilt Preview Capsule

Eds: With: BKC--Vanderbilt Preview. Should stand.

By The Associated Press=

Vanderbilt

Last season: 19-14, lost to Wichita State in Dayton in NCAA Tournament.

Nickname: Commodores.

Coach: Bryce Drew.

Conference: Southeastern.

Who's gone: G Wade Baldwin IV, C Damian Jones.

Who's back: C Luke Kornet: The 7-foot-1 Kornet is a preseason second-team All-SEC pick after ranking fourth in the nation in blocked shots. G Matthew Fisher-Davis: He led the SEC shooting 44.6 percent from 3-point range last season. G Nolan Cressler: He played in 30 games last season and was in double-figures in six games last season.

Who's new: C Djery Baptiste. A top recruit out of Texas, Baptiste redshirted as a freshman after choosing Vanderbilt over Connecticut, SMU and Southern California. Baptiste is expected to back up Kornet.

The Skinny: Drew has talent on the roster, but this is a shorter roster with the loss of the 7-foot Jones to the NBA. Drew also has only 10 scholarship players available after being hired April 6 to replace the winningest coach in school history in Kevin Stallings. The coaching change already has relaxed the Commodores who could have a chance to reach the NCAA Tournament again if they take advantage of their nonconference schedule.

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Online:

AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org