Tennessee Basketball: 5 Things Vols Have to do to be Successful in SEC Play

3. Robert Hubbs III Remains Centerpiece of the Offense

By himself, Robert Hubbs III was always going to be a crucial part of the Vols going into the year. He is the only senior on the roster, the most experienced player, and also the highest-rated recruit. Hubbs was a five-star coming out of high school.

And this was his first year playing in the same system two years in a row after suffering a season-ending injury his freshman year under Cuonzo Martin and then going from Donnie Tyndall to Barnes.

Given all of that, he was clearly designated the role of being the Vols’ everything.

And so far, the 6’5″ 207-pound senior has done a very solid job showing that aggression we have been waiting for three years to see from him.

He is averaging 15 and half points a game while shooting 53 percent from the field.

Hubbs is efficient, aggressive, and demanding. This is what Vols fans have wanted to see for a long time. He’s showing it in other ways as well, averaging nearly five rebounds a game.

The best part is he has found ways to score without his three-point shot falling. Hubbs is in a slump there so far this year, shooting under 20 percent from long-range.

Yet he’s still managed four 20-plus point games. Part of that is his aggression allowing him to draw lots of fouls and go to the free throw line more.

And he’s making 89 percent of his free throw attempts, which is another huge testament to his efficiency. It also brings us to our next key.