Vanderbilt's big 3 need big game vs. No. 8 Texas A&M
Vanderbilt’s big three likely will need big performances, each in their own way, if the Commodores hope to knock off No. 8 Texas A&M on Thursday.
Point guard Wade Baldwin, forward Luke Kornet and center Damian Jones — all potential NBA prospects — will face off with the SEC’s front-runner in the Commodores’ most critical game of the season thus far. They know their own value in such games.
“When the three of us play well, we have a really good chance of winning the game, especially against a team like Texas A&M, which is really good,” Kornet said. “It’s not that all three of us necessarily have to be scoring the ball very well, but just performing very well in our role.”
Likewise, coach Kevin Stallings said Baldwin, Jones and Kornet each have a particular strength that must show up for the 6 p.m. tipoff (ESPN2), and it goes far beyond scoring.
“From Damian, we need inside points and rebounds,” Stallings said. “From Luke, we need rim protection and points — however they come, whether jump shots or post-ups or drives. From Wade, we need ball distribution, ball care and points when he has the opportunity — whether he has open jump shots or drives to the basket.”
Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings aims to be 'beacon of hope'
Jones’ points in the paint and rebounds have actually come quite frequently against top competition. He has averaged 15.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in Vanderbilt’s eight games versus top-30 RPI teams this season and just 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in the other 13 games against lesser competition.
However, the Commodores (12-9, 4-4 SEC) have a 1-7 record versus those top-30 RPI teams. Texas A&M (18-3, 7-1 SEC) is ranked 12th in RPI.
Stallings wants defense around the rim from Kornet, a 7-foot-1 junior ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game (3.13). And that certainly seems like part of a winning formula for Vanderbilt.
Since his return from a torn MCL, Kornet has recorded 22 blocks in Vanderbilt’s four wins. In four losses since then, Kornet had only five blocks total. Also, Kornet averaged 10 rebounds in those four wins and 5.5 rebounds in the four losses.
“From your best players, you need all-around games,” Stallings said. “You need complete play, not just one or two things. … You need them to play both ends of the floor well and otherwise try to make people better.”
Baldwin’s scoring has been a recent trend in victories. He scored 25 points and 24 points — the top two tallies of his career — in Vanderbilt’s last two wins over Tennessee and Florida. During that same stretch, he had seven points in a loss at Kentucky and no points in a loss at Texas Saturday before leaving with an injured thigh.
Stallings said he expects Baldwin to play against Texas A&M, but he especially wants good ball protection from the sophomore point guard.
In 12 wins this season, Baldwin has averaged 4.9 assists and 2.5 turnovers. In nine losses, he has averaged 3.3 assists and 3.8 turnovers.
Stallings said he needs his top players to perform well, but he’s not pinning the game’s outcome on that trio.
“There are so many variables in a game, so it just depends on how everybody else plays. But the better the other guys play, the more margin for error you have with (Baldwin, Jones and Kornet),” Stallings said. “I wouldn’t say those three guys have to play well or we don’t have a chance. But obviously the more guys we have playing well, the better chance we have at beating a really good team.”
Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
NEXT GAME
No. 8 TEXAS A&M (18-3, 7-1 SEC) at VANDERBILT (12-9, 4-4)
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
TV/radio: ESPN2/1510 AM, 95.9 FM