With cautious optimism we have watched as our Cats have shot out to a 6-1 start. Davidson’s renaissance, of sorts, will be tested tonight when Vanderbilt comes to Belk, shockingly, for a rematch of last year’s music city massacre.

Base Rich and I were on hand for that embarrassing loss in Nashville, and our hopeful expectations for this team took a humble blow afterwards. We expect that tonight’s game will be far more competitive. For one, it’s in Belk, a rare luxury for us to play a top team in our own gym. Second, Vandy and Davidson seem headed in opposite directions right now. Vandy lost its last two games in OT, and for the first time fell out of the top-25 this week. Davidson, meanwhile, has played an undefeated season save the second half at Duke.

A win tonight would get the program back on the map, and would evidence the team’s impressive growth since early last season. We’ve been waiting for this one for awhile. Espn3, 7pm.

4th Watts