Vanderbilt Moves Up in College Basketball Polls After Wins

The Commodores climbed two spots in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll following victories over Auburn and Texas A&M.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Vanderbilt basketball moved up two spots to No. 18 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll after wins over Auburn and Texas A&M. The Commodores (21-4, 8-4 SEC) rebounded from a home loss to Oklahoma by defeating Auburn 84-76 and Texas A&M 82-69, despite being without star player Duke Miles.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt's rise in the national rankings demonstrates the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from a tough loss. As an SEC contender, the Commodores' performance is closely watched by college basketball fans and analysts.

The details

In the two wins, Vanderbilt was led by strong offensive showings, scoring 84 points against Auburn and 82 against Texas A&M. The team was able to secure these victories without the services of Duke Miles, one of their top players.

  • Vanderbilt defeated Auburn on February 12, 2026.
  • Vanderbilt defeated Texas A&M on February 15, 2026.

The players

Vanderbilt Commodores

The men's basketball team of Vanderbilt University, a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Duke Miles

A key player for the Vanderbilt Commodores who was unavailable for the recent wins over Auburn and Texas A&M.

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The takeaway

Vanderbilt's ability to win important SEC games without one of their top players demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, positioning them as a serious contender in the conference and potentially the NCAA tournament.