Vanderbilt will Will the NCAA Women's Tournament - Reasons Why By Clayton Trutor

1. Vandy has a 1-2 punch like few others. Guard Mikayla Blakes averages 23.2 points per game while forward Khamil Pierre averages 20.5.

2. This team can force turnovers. The Commodores average nearly 13 steals per game. Khamil Pierre averages better than 3.

3. Vanderbilt defeated Tennessee twice, whom I also made the case would win the NCAA Tournament.

4. William Harrison, the author of Roller Ball, attended Vandy. If the Commodores bring some of that James Caan Roller Ball spirit to the tournament, they are sure to make a deep run.

5. Once, I was on a flight with Vanderbilt alum, US Senator, and actor Fred Thompson. He was really tall and really handsome. Much handsomer than he appeared on television. I'm not one for going up to celebrities unless it is someone of whom I am a huge fan. Several people approached him during the flight and they seemed to all have long, cordial conversations with him. I could see why he was such a successful politician. I would think it would be tough for such a tall guy to seem so approachable but he just exuded a comfort in talking with strangers. I wish I was better at that.

Clayton Trutor