Last night was heartbreaking, but I, for one, am so proud to be a commodore.  This game was absolutely incredible, and although we lost, our players, coaches and fans gave it everything we had.  We played with heart and intensity, and with just a bounce or two more going our way, this game would have been ours.  Coach Stallings did an excellent job of preparing our players, we played tenacious defense, outrebounded a bigger team and played through a difficult game thrown at us by the officials.  The atmosphere in Memorial was absolutely crazy.  The line for the student section wrapped all the way around the corner onto Jess Neely before the doors even opened.  Shan Foster spent the whole game front and center in the student section leading chants, painting his face and doing everything he could short of jumping up on the court to help Vandy pull out a win.  I was lucky enough to be in the second row right next to Shan, absolutely crazy.  UK travels well and they had a solid contingent at Memorial but I don’t think Coach Cal will be looking forward to playing here again, it was loud and rowdy for the whole game.

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So this went out to all Vandy students this morning in preparation for the big game tomorrow, thought I would share it with AOG:

Vandy Fans -

Last week, one of our biggest rivals came into Nashville and Memorial Gym and left with bruised egos and a loss, partly because of you.  You created such an electric atmosphere that made beating them so much sweeter.  Thank you for making Memorial Gym the best place in the country to play college basketball.

This Saturday, my teammates and I are taking on the #2-ranked Kentucky Wildcats in Memorial Gym.  We're all pumped for the game, and I hope you are, too.  I loved looking over at the student section during the last game and seeing nothing but white, so this week we want all of you to wear GOLD to the game, arrive early, and be loud and crazy. As much as we, the team, love your energy and passion, please keep your cheers as fresh and clean as I am.  Over the past few weeks, the NCAA and media outlets have been targeting student sections for their behavior, and we don’t want anything to happen that would change the magic that is Memorial Gym. Let’s continue to act like we’ve been there before.

Finally, my teammates and I really love the trip across the court to the student section after the game to celebrate, but we can't do this if you rush the court! So, please, stay in your seats and we will come get crazy with you. 

Coming off a great win last night, we are ready for Saturday and Kentucky, and hope you are, too.  Come early, wear GOLD, and scream until you can’t breathe. See you there!

Peace,

Dolla Beal

Happy Wednesday Vanderbilt fans!  I am sure many of us are walking with a little more bounce in our step after watching the Dores absolutely dismantle Tennessee.  I was fortunate enough to make my first trip to Thompson-Boling this year and witness the first season sweep of UT since '05.  There is a lot of talk over on Rocky Top about officiating and when you look at the stat sheet, the foul shots are obviously one-sided, but this has nothing to do with bad officiating as far as I could tell in-game.  In fact the only call that I felt was really egregious was the tech against AJ.   Steven "daddy's boy" Pearl initiated the shove and AJ was only protecting his teammate.  In any case, it was nice to see some intensity from the big man, especially in a rivalry game as big as this one.  More analysis... after the jump.

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Having just watched the Vandy-UGA game I feel compelled to share some of my reactions to the game.  A sincere salute to Tins and Beal for playing some really solid basketball.  That being said, when the rest of the team goes 6-33 from the floor against an SEC opponent, there is no way you can expect to pull out a win.  More in-depth analysis... after the jump.

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