Southern Methodist @ Vanderbilt preview

Expectations were low entering the season for Vanderbilt, which was picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference but has managed to keep its head above water during the non-league schedule. The Commodores will face what appears to be their toughest test thus far when they host Southern Methodist on Saturday in the inaugural SEC/AAC challenge.

The Commodores’ success has been built on 3-point shooting as their 37.8 percent is best in the SEC and are averaging 9.4 made threes per game. Leading the way is superstar sophomore forward Aaron Nesmith, who has made 50 percent of his 3-point attempts and ranks second nationally with four made threes per game while leading the SEC with 22.9 points per game. SMU has also exceeded expectations in its non-conference slate, boasting the third-best overall record in the American Athletic Conference after being picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll, and already notched a win in its first conference game against South Florida. Success for the Mustangs hinges on defense, as they have held nine opponents below 40 percent shooting and are undefeated in such games.

TIME: 9 p.m. ET. TV: SEC Network.

ABOUT SOUTHERN METHODIST (10-2): Stretch-four Isiaha Mike has been the team’s leading scorer with 16.8 points per game, but is heating up right as AAC play has commenced, dropping 24 points or more in two of his last three games, all while the 6-foot-8 junior has shown the ability to step out and make a 3-pointer. Sophomore guard Kendric Davis has proven to be one of the most effective passers in the country since returning from NCAA transfer limbo, averaging 7.5 assists, which would be best in the AAC and sixth-best in the country. After a dud game against Northwestern State, junior college transfer Tyson Jolly has bounced back, averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the four games since.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (8-4): Junior guard Saben Lee (16.5 ppg), who along with Nesmith forms the third-highest scoring duo in the nation, has reached double digits in every game -- all but one coming off the bench -- and has shot over 50 percent from the floor on nine different occasions. Freshman point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. has done a little bit of everything as he is in the top 10 of the SEC in assists per game (4.5), free-throws made (47) and assist-turnover ratio (1.93), all while averaging 11 points. While not lighting up the scoreboard, fellow freshman Dylan Disu has contributed on the boards, especially of late, as the team’s leading rebounder (6.0) has averaged 8.7 boards in his last three games and notched his second career double-double in the most recent outing against Davidson.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Vanderbilt will be without senior forward Clavon Brown for the fourth straight game after sustaining a knee injury against Liberty.

2. Mike, who is hitting 43.5 percent of his 3-point attempts, leads the AAC in free-throw percentage (89.7).

3. Vanderbilt is one of three teams in the country to make a 3-pointer in every game since the inception of the 3-point line in 1986-1987 (1,076 consecutive games).

PREDICTION: SMU 80, Vanderbilt 74