Vanderbilt basketball 2024-25 SEC rotation: 3 biggest games for Commodores in the upcoming season

The Vanderbilt Commodores’ Southeastern Conference rotation for the 2024-25 season was released in May, and the slate pits them against all 15 SEC teams in the freshly extended conference. They will play nine games at home in historic Memorial Gymnasium and travel for the other half.

Vanderbilt, which went 9-23, including 4-14 in the SEC, last season, will have three home-and-home games (rivals and permanent opponents Tennessee and Kentucky as well as Missouri, a rotating opponent).

Vanderbilt 2024-25 SEC foes

Let's dive into the biggest matchups the Commodores and first-year coach Mark Byington will face in the 2024-25 season.

Taking command of a potential rivalry with Alabama Crimson Tide

Vanderbilt will face the Alabama Crimson Tide on the road, but its last visit to Tuscaloosa, in January 2023, resulted in a 101-44 blowout, the third-biggest loss in Vandy men’s basketball history.

The 'Dores narrowed the gap in their SEC opener last year, falling by just a three-point differential at home, 78-75. Nevertheless, Alabama's recent success makes for a huge test for Vanderbilt.

Alabama has retained high scorer Mark Sears (21 points and three steals) and sharpshooter Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (11 points on 3-for-7 3-point shooting) from the previous year’s contest.

Facing John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks

Vanderbilt’s rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks will be ignited due to ex-Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari. Vandy has lost 27 of the last 34 games against Calipari since 2009 and has a dismal 2-16 record from the latest 18 games.

Despite the shift from UK to the Hogs, Calipari could pick up right where he left off since four of his Kentucky players followed him to the new program; Kareem Watkins, D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic.

Vanderbilt’s previous season came to an end after a 90-85 overtime loss to Arkansas in the SEC Tournament, adding more significance to the coming matchups.

A new beginning with Kentucky Wildcats

Vanderbilt can aim to begin a redemption run as Kentucky welcomes former national championship player Mark Pope in the head coaching role. Vandy has a daunting 157-49 record against Big Blue.

Apart from the first-year coaching roles of Pope and Byington, Kentucky will enter the season with a completely fresh roster, with zero returning scholarship players.

On the other hand, Vanderbilt lost its top players in the offseason. The returning five players recorded averaged less than six points, five rebounds and one assist combined last season.