The Commodores certainly didn't look like a ranked team by the midway point of the season, struggling in close games to ranked teams. But Vanderbilt won seven of their last 10 games -- including a SEC Tournament championship -- and will face a Harvard team that rarely struggled at all. Vanderbilt will be out to prove it deserved its high preseason ranking (No. 7), facing a hungry Harvard team eager to make a run in their first appearance since 1946.
NO. 5 VANDERBILT
Overall Record: 24-10
Conference Record: 10-6
Conference Tournament Outcome: Won SEC Tournament
PPG: 73
Points Allowed: 65.0
AP Ranking: none
RPI: 29
KenPom Ranking: 16
Standout Player: John Jenkins
Season In Review: Vanderbilt disappointed early with losses to Cleveland State and Indiana State. But the Commodores were able to rally with 10 conference wins and an incredible run to win the SEC Tournament.
Tournament Experience: 9-13, 12 appearances
NO. 12 HARVARD
Overall Record: 26-4
Conference Record: 12-2
Conference Tournament Outcome: Ivy League Champions
PPG: 65.4
Points Allowed: 54.8
AP Ranking: none
RPI: 35
KenPom Ranking: 39
Standout Player: Keith Wright
Season In Review: Harvard cruised for most of the season, with key out-of-conference wins over the ACC's Florida State and Boston College. The Crimson won the Ivy League by one game over Penn and finished with a 44th best field goal percentage in the nation (.467).
Tournament Experience: 0-2, 1 appearance *Lost 3rd place game in 1946
Related
Before You Go
Click HERE for Printable 2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket and stay tuned for in-depth coverage of March Madness throughout the tournament.