Vanderbilt Basketball Guard Leaves Program Ahead of Tennessee Matchup

Frankie Collins departs Commodores before regular season finale against rival Volunteers

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.

Why it matters

Collins was Vanderbilt's most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.

The details

The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.

  • Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Frankie Collins

A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt's most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.

Mark Byington

The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.

Tyler Tanner

The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.

Duke Miles

An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Frankie has left Nashville, and he's not gonna be on the team. It's gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we'll roll with the guys we got.”

— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week's SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.

The takeaway

The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.