Former Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew in ESPN studio for Tennessee-Memphis

College basketball fans expected to see Tennessee coach Rick Barnes and Memphis coach Penny Hardaway on ESPN's telecast of the Tigers-Vols game on Saturday.

But Bryce Drew? Maybe not.

The former Vanderbilt coach was in ESPN's Bristol, Connecticut, studios doing halftime studio analysis of the game between what used to be his two in-state foes. (Drew was among the announced additions to ESPN's college basketball announcing roster for this season on Nov. 4.)

Drew was fired by the Commodores in March after a 9-23 season that included an 0-18 record in SEC play. The season was marred by the absence of Darius Garland, the five-star guard who shined early on before a knee injury forced him out for the rest of the season.

The Valparaiso alum has some firsthand knowledge of Tennessee. The one "highlight" of SEC play for Vandy last season? A 88-83 overtime loss at Memorial Gym to the then-No. 1 ranked Vols.

Drew, 45, has three NCAA Tournament berths on his head coaching resume (two at Valparaiso and one at Vanderbilt) and showed the ability to recruit at Vandy. Given those two factors, it's only a matter of time until he gets another head coaching job if he wants one. 

But to see the former Vandy coach analyzing a Tennessee-Memphis game on ESPN is striking.