Live Blog: No. 5 Seed Vanderbilt Basketball vs. No. 12 Seed McNeese, NCAA Tournament Round of 64

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the best days on the sports calendar has arrived as the first full day of March Madness is underway. And for the second consecutive season, Vanderbilt had made the big dance.

The No. 5 seed Commodores will take on No. 12 seed McNeese in Oklahoma City Saturday afternoon after what has been one of the most successful seasons in program history. Vanderbilt has earned its 26-8 record this season as it looks to make its tournament run aspirations a reality.

But it will not be easy. McNeese rolls into the Round of 64 with a 10-game win streak and have proven to be one of the toughest mid-major programs in the country. The Cowboys are looking to pull off an upset after pulling off a first round upset a year ago.

McNeese has the full attention of McNeese, however. McNeese is the most dangerous team in the country at forced turnover percentage and stealing the ball away, ranking first in the country in both statistical categories.

The key for Vanderbilt today is simple: take care of the ball and hit shots. If Vanderbilt brings its best to Oklahoma City Thursday, the Commodores will feel great about their chances to extend their season.

Tipoff between Vanderbilt and McNeese is set for approximately 2:15 p.m. CT on TruTV

Follow the live blog here for live updates from today’s Vanderbilt-McNeese game.

Live Blog

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Second Half

Vanderbilt is up 70-60 and McNeese has started to foul with 1:04 to go. Get ready for a showdown between Nebraska and Vanderbilt Saturday.

Tyler Tanner with another great three-point shot to give Vanderbilt a 68-60 lead with 3:19 to go. That is two threes that fans will not forget anytime soon.

Tyler Tanner just drilled a cold-blooded three to put Vanderbilt back up six with 6:33 to go. But McNeese was fouled on a three by AK Okereke on the next possession. 63-57 Vanderbilt pending the three McNeese free throws on the other side of the break.

Vanderbilt leads 52-46 with 11:57 to go. Vanderbilt has done a better job taking care of the ball this half, but is only shooting 4/12.

McNeese is on a 7-0 run and the crowd has quickly gotten behind it. Every miss from McNeese, the crowd groans. Vanderbilt in need of another run here to create separation.

Back-to-back threes for Vanderbilt makes it 45-35 Commodores. Vanderbilt looks very much settled in with Tyler Nickel now 3/5 from three.

First Half

HALF: Vanderbilt leads 38-35 going into the locker room after McNeese put on plenty of pressure to begin the game. Commodores could be in a much worse scenario for this kind of game. Vanderbilt just needs to do a better job of taking care of the ball.

Just like that Vanderbilt has its largest lead of the game at 38-33 after Okereke sinks his second three of the game. Vanderbilt certainly looks much more settled in right now and it seems it has adjusted to the defensive pressure McNeese brings.

Stat of the game so far: Vanderbilt is losing the turnover battle 7-2. McNeese is up 13-6 in points of turnovers. Taking care of the ball could not be more important as Vanderbilt trails 33-30.

That is the Nickel that fans love. His long range three gives Vanderbilt a 30-28 lead.

Vanderbilt just needs to go on a 8-0 run or something here. The Commodores are down 26-20 at the under 8 timeout, but it feels like are one good run from getting control of this.

McNeese leads 21-12 at the 12 minute timeout. McNeese is playing much better offensively than it typically has while its defense has clearly given Vanderbilt some trouble finding any sense of rhythm.

McNeese's shotmaking is next level right now. This is far above their season averages. 16-5 McNeese at the 14:33 mark.

This is not the start Vanderbilt wanted at all. McNeese is up 12-5 with three threes and a couple forced turnovers. Commodores are playing right into McNeese's hands right now. McNeese is not typically efficient from three, but it is right now.

Pregame

I must say that this atmosphere is amazing. With this site being in Oklahoma City, Nebraska fans have gone all out as the Cornhuskers are in search of their first ever NCAA Tournament win. This is essentially a Nebraska home game with all the fans that are here. If the two teams play each other Saturday, Vanderbilt would be playing a road game.

Though Vanderbilt and McNeese are set to tipoff at 2:15 CT, it may be delayed depending on how long the game between No. 4 seed Nebraska and No. 13 seed Troy takes. Tipoff for that game is at 11:40 a.m. CT. Vanderbilt will tipoff 25 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

Vanderbilt on SI is in the house today at the Paycom Center as Vanderbilt takes on McNeese today. The Commodores are coming off a run to the SEC title and were given a No. 5 seed. Now, Vanderbilt looks for its first NCAA Tournament win since 2011-2012.

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