Vandy stunned by Cleveland State

Trevor Hass takes a look at all the happenings in SEC basketball this past week.

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

After a 78-64 win against the Oregon Ducks to start the season, the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-1) were shocked by the Cleveland State Vikings on Sunday. The Commodores lost 71-58, despite 17 points from junior G John Jenkins. With the loss, Vandy (#7) will inevitably drop out of the Top 10.

Senior G D’Aundray Brown led the attack for the Vikings (1-0), who have staged the biggest upset of the college basketball season thus far. Cleveland State outscored a sluggish Commodore squad 37-24 in the first half and never looked back.

Vandy gained a mere nine points off the bench, a problem they will need to rectify in order to contend in the SEC.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Wildcats, the Florida Gators, and the Alabama Crimson Tide all avoided the always-frightening opening week upset. Kentucky (#2) annihilated Marist College 108-58, following 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks from freshman phenom F Anthony Davis. Next game, the Wildcats square off against the Kansas Jayhawks which is sure to be a Top 15 showdown.

Florida (#10) dropped 99 points on Jackson State in a shellacking of a game led by junior G Kenny Boynton who scored 19 points. Ohio State (#3) is next on the schedule for the experienced Gator squad.

North Florida junior F Andy Diaz posted nine points and eight rebounds but it wasn’t enough to compete with the Crimson Tide and senior F JaMychal Green’s 18 points. Green led Alabama (#17) to a 64-44 win over North Florida.

The Georgia Bulldogs, the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Tennessee Volunteers were also all victorious in their debuts.