Mr. Lockridge covers the Vanderbilt Commodores for The Tennessean. You can find his work at: http://blogs.tennessean.com/vanderbilt/
Baltimore Sports and Life thanks Mr. Lockridge for answering a few questions about Vanderbilt.
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Center A.J. Ogilvy has averaged 16.3 points a game for his career, coming into his junior season. Last year he exploded against LSU for 33 points, and 10 boards. While he is Australian, he is often described as having the finesse ‘European big’ type of game. Is there any noticeable difference in his strength since the end of last season?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “There is. We were just discussing that during Vanderbilt’s season opener. His upper body is gotten bigger, his power moves around the basket a little stronger. A.J. is close to being 100 percent again after missing more than two weeks of practice in October and November due to a concussion. For that reason, Coach Kevin Stallings brought A.J. off the bench to begin the season.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “As a freshman, wing Jeffrey Taylor scored in double-figures 11 times during Southeastern Conference play. In the first-game this year vs. Lipscomb, Taylor scored 20. What are the positives and negatives of his Taylor’s game?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “There are not a lot of negatives. If you want to pick on anything, it’s probably that his jump shot needs to extend to the 3-point line. But 15 feet and in he is very smooth and athletic. Vanderbilt hasn’t enjoyed many players who just glide to the rim for a rebound and effortlessly dunk on the put-back.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “PG Jermaine Beal had a 2/1 assist to turnover-ratio last year, shot 40.3% from 3, and 82.3% from the line. Is there room for further growth in his play during his senior season?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “Certainly. As the lone scholarship senior, Jermaine has to be the leader on the court this year. This is his team. You can also tell he is much more fluent and comfortable with his 3-point shot now, even over last season.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Freshman John Jenkins was one of the top SG prospects in the country. How is his transition to the college-game going? Will Jenkins push the incumbent Brad Tinsley for starting minutes?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “The transition in practice went as smooth as can be – he lights it up everyday. It will take some time before he gets a really good feel for the games. John was so good at getting his jump shot off in high school, but defenders are playing him tighter now and are fully aware of his catch-and-fire ability. Plus, he’s not running off 12 screens to get the ball each time down the floor. But his offensive game will come. It’s too good not to. Stallings is content to bring him off the bench about 5-6 minutes in. No reason to put pressure on John as a starter with Vanderbilt’s depth.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Vanderbilt was 19-12 overall last-season, 8-8 in the SEC. What are expectations for this season from the Vanderbilt coaches and players? Do they think they can push Kentucky and Tennessee in the SEC East?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “That’s the $64,000 question. Vanderbilt will obviously be better with all five starters and 14 players back. But Kentucky will be better, as well as Tennessee and South Carolina. So the SEC East is loaded. The Commodores have never been a great road team, so I’m not sure I see them winning the East. But it’s reasonable to think they should go 10-6 in the league and make the NCAA field.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Assuming MD beats Chaminade, and if Vanderbilt gets past Cincinnati; how would you expect MD to attack the Commodores?”
Mr. Jeff Lockridge: “I think you will see a lot of smart teams attack Vanderbilt with dribble penetration. Even Lipscomb had success getting into the lane in the season opener. Once teams get inside, you have to deal with A.J. and Festus Ezeli – a pair of 6-11 guys. But if you have guards that knock down pull-up jumpers and kick to the open man on the wing or a cutter on the baseline, then Vanderbilt could struggle defensively.”
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.