If you're looking for the Vanderbilt game today, you probably already know it's a massive day for Commodore fans in Nashville. We aren't just talking about a casual mid-season matchup. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the No. 10 Vanderbilt men’s basketball team is hosting the No. 19 Florida Gators at Memorial Gymnasium.
What Time is the Vanderbilt Game Today?
The tip-off for the Vanderbilt vs. Florida men's basketball game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. ET).
Honestly, if you aren't already parked or heading toward West End, you're cutting it close. Memorial Gym is notorious for its unique "benches on the baseline" setup, and for a Top 20 SEC heavyweight clash like this, the atmosphere is going to be electric.
Where to Watch the Game
You've got options if you can't make it to the gym:
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- TV Channel: The game is airing live on ESPN.
- Streaming: You can catch it on the ESPN app, Fubo, or any major streaming service that carries the main ESPN feed.
- Radio: If you're stuck in traffic, tune into 102.5 The Game in Nashville. Kevin Ingram and Tim Thompson are on the call, and they usually do a great job of painting the picture.
Why This Matchup Matters So Much
The Commodores entered this week with a stellar 16-1 record, though they're coming off a tough 80-64 loss against Texas a few days ago. This is their first real chance to bounce back. Florida is sitting at 12-5 and, interestingly enough, they are the defending national champions.
It’s a contrast of styles.
Vanderbilt has been relying heavily on the scoring of Duke Miles and the playmaking of sophomore Tyler Tanner. On the other side, Florida is a rebounding machine. They’ve been out-boarding teams by an average of 16.1 per game. Basically, if Vanderbilt can’t keep the Gators off the glass, it’s going to be a long afternoon in Nashville.
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Other Vanderbilt Sports Today
The basketball team isn't the only group of Dores in action this Saturday. It's a packed calendar for Vanderbilt athletics:
- Women's Tennis: They played Western Kentucky earlier this morning at 11:00 a.m. in Nashville.
- Men's Tennis: The guys are up in Evanston, Illinois, taking on Northwestern right about now (noon start).
- Swimming: Vanderbilt is competing against Southern Illinois in Carbondale at 1:00 p.m.
- Bowling: The squad is out in New Castle, Delaware, for the Northeast Classic. They started early at 8:25 a.m.
- Track and Field: The Vanderbilt Invitational is happening right now at the Rec Center. Running events started at 4:10 p.m. and will go into the evening.
Misconceptions About the Schedule
People often get confused because the Vanderbilt women's basketball team has been on such a tear lately (they just beat Mississippi State 89-84). However, the Vanderbilt women do NOT play today. They have a big matchup against Michigan at the Prudential Center on Monday, January 19. If you’re looking for them today, you’ll have to wait 48 hours.
Also, for the baseball fans—yes, the 2026 schedule is out. But no, they aren't playing yet. The VandyBoys don't start their season until February 13 in Arlington, Texas.
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Keys to the Game
If you're watching the basketball game, keep an eye on the offensive glass. Vanderbilt only averages about 9 offensive rebounds, while Florida is north of 15. The Dores are actually 4-1 when they get out-rebounded, which is a weird stat, but against a team as physical as the Gators, that luck might run out.
Look for Devin McGlockton and Jalen Washington to have to play huge minutes inside to keep Florida’s bigs from dominating the paint.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your signal: If you're streaming, ensure you're on a stable Wi-Fi connection; ESPN's 4K streams can be data-hungry.
- Parking: If you are heading to Memorial Gym, the 25th Avenue Garage is usually the best bet, but it fills up fast for SEC games.
- Gear up: Temperatures in Nashville are hovering around the mid-40s today—if you're walking from the parking lot, bring a jacket, but remember Memorial Gym can get pretty warm once the crowd starts "bouncing."
Make sure you're tuned in by 1:00 p.m. CT to see if the Dores can protect home court and stay in the hunt for the SEC regular-season title.