Prestige Rankings: The Best SEC Men’s Basketball Programs

Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Riley LaChance (13) keeps the ball away from Tennessee Volunteers guard Robert Hubbs III (3) and guard Kevin Punter (0) during the second half of the second round of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

9. Vanderbilt Commodores

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 13

Sweet Sixteens: 4

Elite Eights: None

Final Fours: None

National Championship Appearances: None

National Championships: None

SEC Tournament Championships: 1

The Vanderbilt Commodores have had more recent success than the teams below them, but an inconsistent history is what keeps them from advancing any further in the rankings.

Vanderbilt has made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1988, and they made 4 Sweet Sixteens from 1988-2007. From 2007-2012, the Commodores made the Tournament every year aside from 2009, but they didn’t make it past the 1st round in 3 of those 5 appearances.

The Commodores are usually all or nothing in the NCAA Tournament, wither making it to the Sweet Sixteen or losing in 1st round. The only time this wasn’t true since the tournament expanded was their last appearance in 2012 when they won a single game and lost in the 2nd round.

Another factor holding Vanderbilt back is their futility in the SEC Tournament. Their only tournament title came in 2012 against Kentucky, but before then they had failed to make an appearance in the championship game since 1951.

Vanderbilt is capable of having success in the NCAA Tournament, but they are just as likely to flame out in the 1st round as well. Add in a less than impressive SEC Tournament history, and Vanderbilt remains in the bottom half of the SEC.