Vanderbilt secured its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2013, defeating Columbia 72-68 in a play-in game. The 12th-seeded Commodores are set to take on the fifth-seeded Baylor Bears in Blacksburg, Virginia, marking the first-ever matchup between the two teams.

The Big Picture

Baylor boasts a high-powered offense averaging 74.8 points per game with strong ball movement and 18.5 assists per game. Dre'una Edwards leads the team in scoring, supported by guards Sarah Andrews and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, who all average double figures.

By the Numbers
  • Baylor averages 74.8 points per game on 44.5% shooting.
  • Sarah Andrews leads in 3-pointers made this season with 65.
  • Baylor's defense holds opponents to 59.6 points per game and limits 3-point shooting to 26.1%.
  • The Bears pull down 40.4 rebounds per game, outrebounding opponents by an average of eight.
Yes, But

While Vanderbilt may have an advantage in steals and blocks over Baylor, the key focus in their upcoming game is rebounding, where Baylor excels statistically.

State of Play
  • Vanderbilt faces Baylor for the first time ever, with both teams having only Iowa State as a common opponent this season.
  • Against Iowa State, Vanderbilt secured a 68-53 victory, showcasing their rebounding strength.
What's Next

If Vanderbilt can match Baylor's prowess in rebounding, they stand a strong chance of advancing to the next round, emphasizing the critical role of securing rebounds in the upcoming matchup.

Bottom Line

Vanderbilt's path to victory against Baylor lies in effectively competing on the boards, potentially paving the way for their advancement in the NCAA Tournament.