Vanderbilt Guard Breaks 27-Year-Old Steals Record

Tyler Tanner surpassed a mark set by his former coach during the SEC Tournament.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:48pm

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Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner broke the program's all-time single-season steals record during the 2026 SEC Tournament, surpassing a mark set in 1998-99 by his former assistant coach James Strong, who had recruited Tanner to the school. Tanner's defensive prowess and ability to disrupt passing lanes have been a key part of Vanderbilt's success this season.

Why it matters

Tanner's record-breaking performance highlights his emergence as one of the top defensive players in college basketball, and his ability to impact games on that end of the floor has been crucial to Vanderbilt's run in the SEC Tournament. The personal connection to his former coach adds an extra layer of meaning to the achievement.

The details

Tanner surpassed James Strong's single-season program record of 77 steals, set during the 1998-99 season, with a timely takeaway late in the first half of Vanderbilt's semifinal win over Florida. Tanner has described his defensive instincts as something he's had since childhood, and he's modeled his game after former Kentucky standout Cason Wallace, now in the NBA.

  • Tanner broke the record during the 2026 SEC Tournament.

The players

Tyler Tanner

A Vanderbilt guard who broke the program's all-time single-season steals record.

James Strong

A former assistant coach at Vanderbilt who recruited Tanner to the school and held the previous single-season steals record.

Cason Wallace

A former Kentucky guard and current NBA player who Tanner has modeled his defensive game after.

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What’s next

Tanner will look to build on his record-breaking performance as Vanderbilt continues its run in the SEC Tournament, with the potential to lead the Commodores to an NCAA Tournament berth.

The takeaway

Tanner's defensive prowess and ability to disrupt opposing offenses have been a driving force behind Vanderbilt's success this season, and his record-breaking performance cements his status as one of the top defensive players in college basketball.