Vanderbilt One Word: 01/14/2013

The idea for this column came from "Coach and Company" on ESPN Radio. I will be asking a Vanderbilt related question before giving a one word answer. This week we will look at a number of news worthy items from Commodore athletics.

Jordan Matthews decision to forgo the draft and remain a Commodore is...?

Massive - By now it has been discussed in great length, in the Nashville area at least, how Matthews could have vaulted himself as high as the lower middle first round of the draft with good workout performances. For that reason alone his decision to return to Vandy to chase an SEC title cannot be underestimated in its importance. Matthews knows that he will have a new quarterback to bed in as Jordan Rodgers is graduating, but by returning to form the best wide receiver combination in the league with Chris Boyd he is giving that new quarterback every chance of succeeding.

It says everything about the culture that James Franklin has created that Matthews is coming back. Playing on Sundays is certainly in Matthews future, but 'Dores fans are going to get one more season of watching his unique talent in black and gold.

The opening week of SEC play for the men's basketball team has been...?

Brutal - Everyone knew that this was not going to be a banner season for the Commodore men's basketball team. It was hoped though that by the beginning of conference play the new parts would have figured out how to play together and the team would be improving game on game. The first weekend of SEC play however would suggest this isn't happening as quickly as needed. After a Kentucky loss that was brutal in the way it happened there was little to no life in the team as they took on Arkansas on Sunday. Maybe it was just a case of mental and physical fatigue with games happening so quickly, but scoring just 33 points on the Razorbacks is not a good way to start life on the road. Games this week against Mississippi and at South Carolina will tell us a lot about how this season will develop.

The women's basketball team has been...?

Under appreciated - It has been happening way under the radar but the lady Commodores are doing some great things on the hardwood. After a slow start led to a 3-3 record, the girls went on a tear and won nine straight before losing on the road to a ranked, and very dangerous, South Carolina squad. The ability to quickly get back to winning ways is perhaps more important in college basketball than any other sport, and an emphatic 20 point blowout of Arkansas over the weekend shows just how well coached and hungry this team is. The time to jump on the bandwagon is now as this is going to be a fun season.