Will Duke Face Missouri?

NASHVILLE — Two key players, Duke Miles and Frankie Collins, will be missing from the Vanderbilt roster as the team heads to Missouri for a game on Wednesday night. According to the SEC Availability Report, this marks the fifth consecutive game that both players will miss, and the sixth time in total that they have been sidelined.

The absence of these two guards presents another challenge for the Commodores. Miles, who is the team's second-leading scorer, averages 16.6 points per game along with 4.3 assists. Defensively, he has made a significant impact this season, recording seven steals in a win against Mississippi State—his highest single-game total of the year and the most by a Vanderbilt player since James Strong achieved the same feat in 1998.

“I haven’t seen him play much, but I do enjoy watching him and Tyler [Tanner] in the backcourt defensively,” Strong said via text message after that game. “It reminds me of myself and Atiba Prater. I really appreciate the intensity, competitiveness, and pride he plays with on the defensive end. His anticipation and feel defensively are elite.”

Miles currently ranks sixth in the country in steals and leads all power-five schools in that category at the time of his injury. However, he hasn’t played since due to a knee injury that required clean-up surgery. Despite this, he remains an off-the-bounce scorer and is nationally ranked in six efficiency categories according to KenPom’s individual efficiency metrics.

Vanderbilt head coach, Coach Byington, expressed confidence in Miles’ recovery after the team’s win over Texas A&M.

“Duke is attacking his rehab. He’s doing workouts and things like that. He’s competitive. He wants to get back as a great teammate. I think we’ll have him back soon,” Byington said. “It’s hard to give a timetable, but I think within a week or two for sure.”

However, Byington was less optimistic about Collins, who has only played in nine games this season due to a meniscus injury that kept him out since before Vanderbilt’s win at Wake Forest. Initially, the expected timeline for his return was four to six weeks, but it has now been over eight weeks, and Collins has yet to make a return. While there are indications that he does not intend to medically redshirt, the delays in his recovery and the lack of clear explanations have caused frustration among fans.

A fan shouted, “Toughen Up Frankie!” after a recent loss to Oklahoma. In response, Byington said, “Frankie’s still doing his rehab. He’s still working. It’s hard to give a timetable. I wish it was closer. It was rehab after surgery they said four to six weeks, and we’re at seven now. So, maybe there’s something there holding him back, but we’re not giving up on him.”

Byington later mentioned that Collins has changed his rehab program. On Monday, Collins posted a photo from a training table that appeared to show some positive progress.

Three Keys and a Prediction: Vanderbilt Basketball Vs. Missouri

As Vanderbilt prepares for its matchup against Missouri, several factors could determine the outcome. The team’s ability to compensate for the absence of Miles and Collins will be crucial. Additionally, the performance of other players and the effectiveness of the coaching strategies will play a significant role.

Where Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball Is Projected in Bracketology Entering Final Stretch of Regular Season

With the regular season winding down, analysts are closely watching where Vanderbilt stands in bracketology. The team’s performance in upcoming games could significantly impact their seeding in the postseason.

Where Does Vanderbilt Basketball's Rèsumè Stand After Texas A&M Win?

The victory over Texas A&M has added momentum to the Vanderbilt basketball program. Fans are hopeful that this win can lead to more consistent performances throughout the rest of the season.

Where is Vanderbilt Basketball Ranked in AP Top 25 Prior to Missouri Game?

Before facing Missouri, Vanderbilt’s ranking in the AP Top 25 will be a point of interest. The team’s position in the rankings could influence their confidence and strategy heading into the game.