
Vanderbilt basketball was named a No. 4 seed and No. 15 overall in the NCAA selection committee reveal of the top 16 seeds for the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Feb. 21.
The Commodores (21-5, 8-5 SEC) have the strongest part of their resume in their metrics. They are 15th in the NET, 12th on KenPom and 12th on Torvik. They also are a strong 7-4 in Quadrant 1 games.
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However, Vanderbilt does not have any high-end wins. Its best win by NET was over No. 20 Alabama, which was not listed among the top 16 seeds by the committee.
The Commodores will have to keep winning to maintain a 4-seed, starting with its matchup against Tennessee (19-7 9-4) on Feb. 21.
Vanderbilt has struggled to win road games, with losses including Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. The Commodores have a home loss to Oklahoma, ranked Quadrant 2, but the Sooners‘ NET is on the border of Quadrant 2 and 3.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 18, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington reacts to play against the Missouri Tigers during the first half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 18, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington reacts to play against the Missouri Tigers during the first half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 14, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington reacts after a called foul against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball coach Mark Byington and his son, Chase, who plays basketball for Ensworth High School pose for a photograph at the Huber Center Friday, Feb.13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Jan 31, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington yells to his team against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Jan 24, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington talks with guard Tyler Tanner (3) during the first half against Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team as they face Florida during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Dec 13, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington and forward Ak Okereke (10) talk during a break in action against the Central Arkansas Bears during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington talks with an official during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Nov 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington looks down court against the Texas Southern Tigers during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball coach Mark Byington speaks to players in the visiting locker room at Bartow Arena after the Commodores’ 89-67 victory over UAB in an Oct. 23 exhibition game.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington works the sideline during the first half of an NCAA Tournament First Round game at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 21: Head coach Mark Byington of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington argues his case during the first half at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Mar 8, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington on the sidelines against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Arkansas during the second half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Arkansas during the second half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Missouri during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 1, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington watches his team face Missouri during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 1, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington shakes hands with Mississippi Rebels guard Jaylen Murray (5) during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington paces the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 19, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington directs his players during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington yells to the court during a men’s college basketball game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington watches his team face Auburn during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington directs his players during an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Mark Byington of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts during the first half against the Florida Gators at Stephen C. O’Connell Center on February 04, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Feb 1, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington gestures to his team on a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington tries to get the referees to acknowledge his timeout late in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats during their game at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Jan 21, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington gives insturctions during the game with Alabama at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores Head Coach Mark Byington works the sideline against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Head Coach Mark Byington of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts to a play during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on January 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores Head Coach Mark Byington works the sideline against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington watches his team face against South Carolina during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington watches the action against South Carolina during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Jan 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington yells at players against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Jan 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington enters the court prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Mississippi State during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Mississippi State during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington works with his team against Mississippi State during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington shouts to his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington directs his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington looks to his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington watches his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington watches his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington watches his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington watches his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington talks with guard M.J. Collins Jr. (2) during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Mark Byington speaks as he is introduced as Vanderbilt’s new men’s basketball coach at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.
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Mark Byington, Vanderbilt basketball coach in second season with Commodores
Mark Byington walks to the stage as he is introduced as Vanderbilt’s new men’s basketball coach at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.
NCAA selection committee top 16 seeds
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball in NCAA tournament selection committee rankings
