ESPN.com Preseason Power Rankings
7. Vanderbilt
Festus Ezeli is out six to eight weeks with a knee injury, but with a once-in-a-career sort of team lining up, Kevin Stallings can't complain too much. Plus, John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor ought to help the Commodores hold the fort while Ezeli recovers. What makes Vanderbilt interesting is that in an era of one-and-done dominance, Stallings somehow has a talented team filled with upperclassmen. That combination of skill and experience makes the Dores dangerous. Plenty of people like Vandy for that one-two punch, but plenty are also hesitant to go all in. Why? Because in Nashville one and done happens in the tournament, where the Commodores have been bounced by double-digit seeds in the first round in each of its last three trips. This team is good enough to go to the Final Four, but it's got to make that baby step first. -- Dana O'Neil
Advertisement
ESPN Video
- 00:43
High schooler with Down syndrome sinks 3-pointer
Leslie County (Ky.) High School's Ethan Wolfe, who has Down syndrome, checks into the game and knocks down a 3-pointer.
- 02:04
Hurts surprises family with donation toward a new home
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts surprises a family, whose child is battling cancer, with a $30,000 donation to go toward a new home.
- 01:25
Ron Rivera rings the bell after final day of cancer treatment
Washington coach Ron Rivera receives an ovation as he walks down the hospital hallway to ring the bell after his final day of cancer treatment.


