New Year's resolutions for Vanderbilt football, basketball, baseball and more in 2024
It wasn't a great 2023 for Vanderbilt athletics. From the men's basketball team getting left out of the NCAA Tournament to the baseball team losing in a regional it hosted for only the third time under Tim Corbin, to the football team's 2-10 season, there weren't a ton of bright spots (though the ever-consistent bowling program did win its third national title).
The Commodores have to hope that 2024 will be better, but things will have to change to give the fans something to cheer about.
As the new year dawns, basketball season is preparing to head into SEC play, football is in the midst of portal season and baseball is still nearly four weeks away from being able to start preseason practice. As the calendar turns over to 2024, here is one New Year's resolution for each of Vanderbilt's top programs:
Football: Stick with a quarterback
Vanderbilt landed a commitment from Utah transfer quarterback Nate Johnson, who presumably came on board with the intention to start. New Mexico State's Blaze Berlowitz also committed as a transfer. But committing is only half the battle.
Prior offensive coordinator Joey Lynch could never settle on one quarterback, instead switching between multiple quarterbacks almost constantly. If Johnson ends up being the guy, it would be beneficial for the Commodores to give him some leeway through the tough SEC schedule. And if he's not the guy, Vanderbilt should recognize that early so it can switch to someone else.
Men's basketball: Figure out the plan for the future
At this point, it's a near impossibility for the Commodores to make the NCAA Tournament in 2024, even with a late-season surge akin to the past few years. So what happens after that? What is the future of Jerry Stackhouse? How will Vanderbilt replace starters like Ezra Manjon and Evan Taylor who will be out of eligibility (and will Tyrin Lawrence stay out of the portal again)?
Women's basketball: Make the NCAA Tournament
At the beginning of the season, Shea Ralph was one of a few who believed that her team could make a run to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. But after a strong showing in the nonconference, it's become more possible.
It's still an uphill battle. Vanderbilt will likely need to go .500 or better in conference play to get a berth. But the conference schedule is manageable enough to get it done as long as the Commodores can keep all their starters healthy.
Baseball: Have a 16-home run hitter
Making it back to Omaha is the low-hanging fruit here, but considering that's been the baseball team's resolution for the past few years, here's a different one.
Vanderbilt has had only two players hit 16 or more homers in the past 11 seasons. Hitting home runs is highly correlated to teams that make it to the College World Series.
Whether it's Troy LaNeve, Braden Holcomb or somebody else, having a middle-of-the-order bopper who can strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers is key for the Commodores, which hasn't had one of those players in a while.
Soccer: Fix the offense
Vanderbilt failed to even qualify for the SEC Tournament, in large part due to a lack of offense. The Commodores had a six-goal outburst against Texas A&M but only scored nine goals in the remaining nine games.
The good news is that Vanderbilt's top four scorers are all expected to be back, two of whom were freshmen. There's still development to happen for what was a relatively young squad in 2023.
Men's golf: Win the national championship
Go big or go home, right?
With Gordon Sargent eligible to start on the PGA Tour after the conclusion of the 2024 season, this could be his last year in Nashville. That means there's no better time than now to win the big one.
ESTES With Vanderbilt football in distress, Clark Lea grabs the wheel to change course
Bowling: Have a title repeat
Yes, this is the second team with a New Year's resolution to win a national championship. But what else could the resolution be for a team that just won a title a year ago?
Mabel Cummins is a loss, yes, but she is at least still on staff.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball, football, baseball resolutions for 2024
