NIL LOSER: VANDERBILT COMMODORES

[Tom McKrackin]

A coaching change always kickstarts tons of roster movement, but new Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington was less than 24 hours away from emerging from the transfer portal fracas with Ven-Allen Lubin still in the fold.

It was not meant to be.

The emerging, 6-foot-8 forward entered the portal on Wednesday, just hours before the deadline. Vanderbilt hoops had a frustrating season, but Lubin was the major bright spot. He elevated his game to new heights after transferring to Vanderbilt from Notre Dame. Lubin went toe-to-toe with some elite frontcourts and dominated. He had 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against Auburn. He ripped Florida's intimidating frontline for 25 points and 11 rebounds. 

Lubin shot over 66% at the rim as an undersized center in the uber-athletic SEC. He's a beast. Lubin joins Great Osobor, Norchad Omier and Toppin as one of the premier small-ball centers on the market. He had to play the 5 at Vanderbilt, but Lubin could easily downshift to a matchup-hunting 4 at his next spot. 

Byington has built up depth in Vanderbilt's frontcourt with transfer additions like Jaylen Carey, Tyler Nickel and Devin McGlockton, but Lubin was primed to be near the top of the scouting report for the 'Dores in 2024-25, and now he's gone at the very last second. Cruel.

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