5 questions for Vanderbilt basketball next season

DAYTON, Ohio — Vanderbilt’s 2016 basketball season is over, but there are questions to answer to before the Commodores tip off again.

Here are five questions facing Vanderbilt before next season.

Will Kevin Stallings return?

Athletics director David Williams will determine his coach’s status. Kevin Stallings is the longest-tenured (17 seasons) and winningest coach (332-220) in program history. Even though some fans want a change, letting Stallings go would still be an immense jolt to the Commodores. He has been Vanderbilt’s only coach in the 2000s.

What's Kevin Stallings' future at Vanderbilt?

Are Wade Baldwin and Damian Jones going pro?

Wade Baldwin said he hasn’t decided yet, but Stallings thinks his sophomore point guard will enter the NBA Draft. Baldwin has been projected as an early to mid-first round pick. Damian Jones said last October that he would enter the draft after this season, but he has admitted some regret about making that early announcement. Both should make their decision based largely on an evaluation by the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. Jones seems less sure of going pro.

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Will Riley LaChance and Nolan Cressler get on track?

Riley LaChance was an SEC All-Freshman selection, leading all rookies in scoring (12.3 ppg). But he suffered through an extended shooting slump this season, averaging only 6.8 points per game. Cressler, who led Cornell in scoring (16.8 ppg) two seasons ago, averaged just 4.8 points in his Vanderbilt debut season. Even if Baldwin and Jones leave, there will still be talent remaining. But LaChance and Cressler need to grow into consistent roles, either as starters or in repairing the team’s bench.

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Who is the point guard?

Baldwin could leave for the NBA. Shelton Mitchell left a year ago to transfer to Clemson. That leaves no true point guards on the roster. Payton Willis, a three-star point guard, signed with Vanderbilt in November, but asking a freshman to immediately play the position might be a stretch. The Commodores likely will try to sign another point guard, though doing so in the late signing period could be a gamble.

Will scheduling change?

Setting a very difficult non-conference schedule helped Vanderbilt get an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. But if next season’s slate is that challenging and both Baldwin and Jones leave, losses could pile up. Vanderbilt will have to decide on the best mix of scheduling winnable games and getting opportunities for quality wins. And finding team chemistry again might be just as important.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.