Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Ready to Extend Dominance in Memorial Gym

By David Oglesby

Photo / #8 Ava Black / Vanderbilt Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15/14 Vanderbilt women's basketball opens a five‑game homestand Wednesday when the Commodores host Virginia in the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is 4 p.m. CT at Memorial Gymnasium and the game will air on SEC Network.

Vanderbilt enters the matchup 8‑0 to start the 2025‑26 season. The Commodores went undefeated at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam with wins over Oregon State (88‑66) and BYU (84‑71). Sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes was tournament MVP after scoring 35 points against Oregon State and 27 against BYU.

All five December games will be played at Memorial Gymnasium and tickets are available through the team's official site.

Under head coach Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt is 57‑19 against nonconference opponents and has won 23 straight home games versus non‑SEC teams at Memorial Gym. The Commodores are 50‑21 at home since Ralph took over.

Wednesday’s meeting is the seventh between Vanderbilt and Virginia; the Cavaliers lead the all‑time series 4‑2. Virginia has won the last two matchups, including a 73‑66 victory in the 2012 San Juan Shootout. Vanderbilt’s only home meeting in the series was a 72‑65 win in December 1995.

Vanderbilt’s offense is averaging 86.9 points per game (12th nationally) and outscoring opponents by 31.3 points per game, with a total scoring differential of +250. The Commodores make 9.8 three‑pointers per game at a 37.1% clip (14th nationally in threes made, 28th in three‑point percentage).

Virginia averages 79.5 points per game while allowing 52.9, outscoring opponents by 26.6 points per game. The Cavaliers average 7.0 three‑pointers per game.

The five‑game homestand is a chance for Vanderbilt to keep building momentum. Tipoff is Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT at Memorial Gym; fans can watch on SEC Network.