Deadspin Field Level Media ranks Vanderbilt No. 25 for a season shaped by Tanner
A place in the preseason Top 25
Field Level Media college basketball writers placed Vanderbilt at No. 25 in their ballots for the 2026-27 season. The outlook identifies Tanner as a reason the Commodores merit a ranking despite the SEC’s challenges and programs with larger budgets. Vanderbilt is seeking its third straight NCAA Tournament berth since Mark Byington began leading the program.
Youth brings questions
Vanderbilt had a veteran roster last season, but its second- through eighth-leading scorers have graduated or transferred. The team faces a substantial turnover in its scoring group. Eleven players on this year’s squad are freshmen or sophomores. They will need to learn and build cohesion during the season.
Buyuktuncel adds size
Berke Buyuktuncel is Vanderbilt’s top newcomer. The forward started for two years at Nebraska and scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the Huskers’ Round of 32 win over Vanderbilt. The Turkey native is 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, giving Vanderbilt a player with the size to contend with SEC big men.
Key points
- Vanderbilt is No. 25 in Field Level Media’s preseason Top 25 for 2026-27.
- Tyler Tanner averaged 19.5 points and 5.1 assists last season.
- Eleven Vanderbilt players are freshmen or sophomores.
- Berke Buyuktuncel scored 12 points against Vanderbilt while playing for Nebraska.