"Stallings is best story in basketball"

By A. Boggs - That according to Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, a longtime writer for the paper. Check out the article here.

Stallings appointed to ethics coalition

INDIANAPOLIS--- Vanderbilt head men’s basketball coach Kevin Stallings has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Ethics Coalition, an independent committee of current and former basketball coaches. The group will be charged with promoting ethical conduct through leadership, education and mentoring.

The newly established NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Ethics Coalition held its first meeting last week in Indianapolis. The coalition board will consist of 14 members, including 11 head men’s basketball coaches, two assistant coaches and one former head coach.

“Coaches have as large a role in improving the men’s basketball environment as anyone and it’s important to hold each other accountable,” said John Beilein, University of Michigan head men’s basketball coach and chair of the coalition. “The majority of coaches want to make the right decisions and stay competitive in an ethical manner. This new coalition provides a needed opportunity for us to examine ethical issues and provide a forum for discussion to make so many areas of our great game even better.”

The coalition board will identify key rules and issues that challenge the coaching community in making ethical decisions. The board will provide guidance about those types of issues and serve as mentors and as a resource for the men’s basketball community.

Members of the coalition board are: John Beilein, Michigan (chair); Jeff Capel, Oklahoma; Johnny Dawkins, Stanford; Phil Martelli, St. Joseph’s; Dave Odom, University of South Carolina (former head coach); Al Skinner, Boston College; Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt; Brad Stevens, Butler; Gary Stewart, UC Davis; and Doug Wojcik, Tulsa. Two assistant coaches, a current head coach, and a former head coach will be added to the coalition in the near future.

The NCAA has worked to positively influence the men’s basketball environment through a number of initiatives. These include the oversight provided by the Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee, the focus on youth basketball through the partnership with the NBA, as well as the work to enhance the enforcement of NCAA rules through the Basketball Focus Group.

Stallings' interview with 104.5

By Barca Blog - Stop what you're doing and take a 15-minute break to listen to the 104.5 Wake Up Zone's Tuesday interview with men's basketball head coach Kevin Stallings. With the season officially over, Stallings speaks candidly about a variety of topics including:

*The 'Dores not being invited to the NIT

*The NCAA selection process

*The toughness of scheduling
Best quote during the interview: “There are more lies that are told in scheduling than there are in recruiting. And that’s significant.”

*Inconsistencies in NCAA tourney qualifications

*And his bold tournament predictions for LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee

Like I said, listen to the entire segment... click here.

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

By Barca Blog - Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday night at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Vanderbilt (17-11, 6-8 SEC) will finish off their SEC regular season slate with a trip to LSU Wednesday (7 p.m. CT) and a home finale with Arkansas Sunday (1 p.m. CT). Tickets are still available for the matchup with the Razorbacks. Reserve your seats by calling (615) 322-GOLD or visiting vucommodores.com.

Stallings' Call-In Show Sunday night

Posted by Barca Blog

Don't miss Kevin Stallings' basketball call-in show Sunday night from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CT at the Commodore Sports Bar and Grille on West End Avenue.

If you can't make it to the event, then tune in locally to 104.5 the Zone or listen online on vucommodores.com. And there's still time to submit your question for Coach to answer on-air.

The Commodores (15-9, 4-6) will return to the court Tuesday night to host Kentucky in a nationally-televised game on ESPN at 8 p.m. CT.

Stallings and Pearl comment on rivalry

Posted by Barca Blog

Like it or not, Bruce Pearl has changed the heartbeat of Tennessee basketball since arriving in Knoxville in 2005. Under Pearl, the Vols have been to the NCAA Tournament every season and advanced to two consecutive Sweet Sixteen's. Tennessee’s 42 SEC wins are the most in the conference over the last four years. In 2007-08, Pearl guided the Vols to their first outright SEC championship since 1967.

So has Pearl's success impacted the rivalry between the Commodores and Vols? Both coaches commented on the subject during Thursday's SEC teleconference.

Kevin Stallings:

"I think that it's always been pretty intense. I think that any time the two teams play it's been intense. The 10 years that I've been here they've all been very intense games. Some have been blow outs in both directions, but they've been intense games. The crowds have been intense. I would imagine because of Bruce's personality and flamboyance there are a few Vanderbilt fans who like to dislike him more than maybe they have some other coaches. I don't think it's changed the nature of the rivalry, because the rivalry's intense no matter who's coaching the game, me or him or the people before us.

"I think that people probably tend to dislike people who win a lot, and he's certainly won a lot. It's probably not just exclusive to our people, because he's winning too much for a lot of people's taste... including mine (laughs)."

Bruce Pearl:

"I don't know what the rivalry was like before I got here. I just know that historically... Vanderbilt's been a great rival... For me, it's always been out of respect for Vanderbilt's program. It's been out of respect for their tradition to honor them in a way by calling them a rival. I think now that we're in the SEC East and we play them twice a year and it's in-state, our fans live next door to their fans, I don't know how it could be any more of a rivalry with me than it's always been."

Vanderbilt (15-8, 4-5 SEC) and Tennessee (15-8, 6-3) will square off in Knoxville Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Pearl holds a 5-2 record vs. the Commodores as UT's coach. The Vols took the first meeting this year at Memorial Gym, 76-63, on January 20.

Graham leaves basketball team

From Vanderbilt's Athletic Communications Office:

NASHVILLE - Guard Jamie Graham has decided to discontinue his basketball career at Vanderbilt in order to devote his full attention to football.

"We agree with and totally support this decision," said Vanderbilt head basketball coach Kevin Stallings. "We wish Jamie the best of luck and look forward to following his success on the football field."

Graham, who joined the basketball team as a walk-on in 2007, played in five games on the hardwood in 2009 and did not score. On the gridiron this year, the wide receiver/running back had three touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown, and helped guide the Commodores to their first bowl win in 26 years in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.

Graham was the only player in the SEC to play both football and basketball in 2007-08 and 2008-09, and the first Vanderbilt player to play both sports since Fred Baker did it in the 1994-95 academic year.

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday night at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Vanderbilt (15-8, 4-5 SEC) will take its three-game winning streak to Knoxville Saturday for a 2 p.m. CT matchup with Tennessee. The game will be televised by Raycom Sports.

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday night at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Vanderbilt (13-8, 2-5 SEC) will host two games this week: Thursday vs. Alabama at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2, and Saturday vs. Ole Miss at Noon CT on CBS.

Stallings on Gottfried

We just posted the 104.5 Wake Up Zone's Tuesday morning interview with Kevin Stallings on vucommodores.com.

In today's segment, Stallings discusses the resignation of Alabama's Mark Gottfried and also tells a story about how former Commodore Matt Freije had to spend an entire day with him.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Don't break my stride

With the eighth youngest team in Division I men's basketball (according to KenPom.com), as well as the departure of four seniors from last year's 26-8 squad, you knew there would be a few bumps in the road with Vanderbilt's 2008-09 team.

So how do you rebuild confidence among a team that has (a) only two upperclassmen and (b) lost three-straight conference games by an average of 15 points? Coach Stallings answered the question during Monday's SEC teleconference.

"I think that we have to continue to try to be positive with them to help them learn. I think it can come from them holding each other more accountable. But, I think the biggest way that confidence comes is by knowing what to expect and seeing success. We just don't have anybody playing at a level right now that is giving confidence to the other players.

"Generally speaking, when things are going decently you have one or two guys who you can garner your confidence from if you're another player. You have confidence in yourself, but you know this guy is going to do his part, or he's going to do well, or he's going to create opportunities for the rest of us. We just don't have any of that going on right now. "

Vanderbilt will have to regroup against an experienced South Carolina team that features eight upperclassmen under first-year coach Darrin Horn. The Gamecocks (14-4, 3-2 SEC) are undefeated in SEC home games this year with victories over Ole Miss, Florida and Auburn. And while the Commodores have won three straight in Columbia (and six of the last seven in the series), Stallings knows everything must be earned in order for the Commodores to get back on the right track.

"South Carolina seems to be playing extremely well and very confidently. Like every other opponent in our league, you get no free nights. Nothing comes easily in this league."

Ogilvy Update

During Monday's SEC coaches teleconference, head coach Kevin Stallings told the media that sophomore center A.J. Ogilvy was under the weather leading up to the Florida game.

"A.J. had been in the student hospital a couple days prior to the game and is still sick," Stallings said about Ogilvy, who was already battling a bruised right heal since late December. "He wasn't playing effectively, and there was no sense in leaving him out there because he was only getting worse as time went on. So, I chose not to play him, and I feel badly for him. He tried. He wasn't feeling well."

Ogilvy ended up with a season-low four points in 15 minutes (14 of which were in the first half) against the Gators Sunday. Combine those numbers with the Tennessee loss and he's only shooting 2-for-11 from the field in his last two outings, making it the only times all year he's been held to single digits in scoring. Even Florida head coach Billy Donovan commented that Ogilvy was not himself.

"I know he has been dealing with some things health wise," Donovan said after the Gators' 94-69 victory. "It's hard when your best player is going through some physical ailments."

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday night at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Vanderbilt (12-7, 1-4 SEC) will hit the road for two games starting Wednesday at South Carolina.

Stallings' Call-In Show scheduled for Thursday

Please Note: Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show has been scheduled for this Thursday night (January 22) from 7-8 p.m. CT, instead of Monday. This special broadcast will air live from 104.5 the Zone's main studio, rather than the usual location of the Commodore Grille. Fans can listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Ogilvy update

Head Coach Kevin Stallings commented on sophomore center A.J. Ogilvy's status for Wednesday's game with Georgia during last night's call-in show. Ogilvy's missed two of the last three games with a bruised right heel injury.

"Our hope is that A.J. is going to play Wednesday night. However, he did not practice Monday and we hope to have him practice some Tuesday in preparation for that game."

In an interview with the 104.5 Wake Up Zone this morning, Stallings was asked to what extent the Georgia game plan would be with or without Ogilvy in the lineup:

"Well I don't think that there's a whole lot we can do relative to separate (game) plans and things like that. Our play calling would be a little bit different during the game if he's there or not there. We'll have to play the way that we play. There might be a tweak here and there but our guys, especially our younger guys, are not capable of separate game plans and so it's just a thing to where we have to go with what we do and hope that he can play."

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday night at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com. For more info, Click Here.

Vanderbilt (11-4, 0-1) will return to the court Wednesday to host Georgia at 7 p.m. CT inside Memorial Gym.

Stallings discusses Graham's return

During Monday afternoon's press conference at Memorial Gym, Head Coach Kevin Stallings talked about Jamie Graham's return to basketball practice:

“We’re getting him a month later than we got him last year, and all for great reasons. I’m thrilled about them going to the bowl game and thrilled about them winning. We’ll have to put our patient hat on because today will be his first practice.

“Last year it took us a couple of months before we got him ready to play, and if it takes that long again, then obviously, people are going to have to be patient that."

“When he came out last year, I didn’t even think he would play. I was just doing Bobby (Johnson) a favor. Then I realized he’s a good player. So we’ll see how long it takes him to get familiar with what’s going on."

“He’s a tough guy that plays real hard every day. He has a great attitude and is great in the locker room and a great guy to be around.”

Stallings' Call-In Show Tonight

Kevin Stallings' Call-In Show airs live from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Monday at the Commodore Grille. Listen locally on 104.5 the Zone or online on VUcommodores.com.

Vanderbilt closed out its non-conference schedule with a 78-48 rout of UMass in Amherst and will open its SEC slate at Kentucky this Saturday.

Stallings' Call-In Show Sunday night

Don't miss Kevin Stallings' basketball call-in show Sunday night from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CT at the Commodore Sports Bar and Grille on West End Avenue.

If you can't make it to the event, then tune in locally to 104.5 the Zone or listen online on vucommodores.com. And there's still time to submit your question for Coach to answer on-air.

The show was moved to Sunday because the Commodores (8-3) will take on Furman Monday night at Memorial Gym at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available for $15.

Three-Double-O

We've had a bunch of congratulations in the blog today, and we've got one more to close out the night.

In a successful career spanning 16 years as a head coach, Kevin Stallings added one more milestone to the list when he notched his 300th career victory as the Commodores defeated South Florida Tuesday night.

During the postgame press conference, Stallings was asked to reflect on what number 300 meant to him. This was his response:

When I was a high school kid, my coach (Vergil Fletcher) had won over 700 games. You would go in his basement and it was very intimidating because I played for his last year and he coached 32 years. I said today that I've kind of always held the distinction as being the guy that ran him out of coaching.

He's in the National High School Basketball Hall of Fame and he's my idol to this day. He's 93 years old. He's that kind of coach and that kind of human being.

When I'd go into his basement you'd see victory 100 on a ball, victory 200, victory 300, victory 400, victory 500, victory 600. I got to play in a lot of those late victories.

I used to think how cool it was that he had those basketballs that had those numbers on them. And now I realize that all that made him was old. I've only got 300 but all that makes me is old. Other than having those balls somewhere in a office or basement, that's about the only significance to it really.

After his press conference concluded and A.J. Ogilvy and Jermaine Beal were getting ready to answer questions, Stallings pointed to his players and said, "Guys like this are the reason I have 300."