The SEC slogans plastered around Bridgestone Arena say, "It Just Means More," and Thursday night's SEC Tournament second round win over Texas A&M did mean more for Vanderbilt.
For starters, it's the Commodores first SEC Tourney win since 2013. No one in the locker room had won a conference tournament game entering the night.
Even more importantly, the 66-41 beatdown for the Aggies should've solidified the Dores as an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens the rest of the weekend.
Vanderbilt did it with defense, holding A&M to just 33 percent shooting. The 41 points allowed were a season-low for Vandy to give up.
The defensive effort came at a good time. In the first game of the postseason, the normally hot shooting Commodores made just seven of 29 field goal attempts in the first half, but held a 23-20 lead thanks to their ability to clamp down on the defensive end.
"That first half was a struggle," Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew said. "Shots weren't going, but I think our defense kept us in."
It's a continuation of a trend that has seen an improved defensive effort from Vandy on the way to six wins in seven games down the stretch of the season. That emphasis on defense, more than anything, is the reason for the turnaround that will have the Dores dancing on Sunday.
The defense led to some easy baskets early in the second half as Vanderbilt extended its lead. Then Joe Toye erupted, hitting five of six threes as the Dores doubled up the Aggies 43-21 on the scoreboard in the second half.
"Some of it was called for me, some I made within the offense," Toye said of his team-high 18-point performance. "My teammates just kept passing me the ball. I'm glad they went in."
Riley LaChance added 14 and Nolan Cressler 11 as Vandy shot 55 percent after the break to set up a third meeting this season with Florida. It will be the second time in six days the two sides meet in Nashville after Vanderbilt's 83-81 comeback win last Saturday.
Beating anyone a third time in a season is a challenge, but after Thursday night's win the pressure is off. Vandy is moving on in the SEC Tournament for the first time in four seasons, and whenever this run ends there will be a run in the NCAA Tournament.
These Dores are playing well and having fun, so bring the Gators, or anybody else, on.
"It's great. It's long overdue," senior Luke Kornet said with a smile in the locker room after the game. "I'm just really happy with our team right now and hopefully we get another one tomorrow."
