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Tennessee basketball: Vols Battle 4 Atlantis trip a shocking success

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 14: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 14, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 65-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 14: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 14, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 65-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball won two of three games in its Battle 4 Atlantis trip to the Bahamas. It was a huge success for Rick Barnes’s Volunteers.

If you’re Tennessee basketball heading to a tournament where you face three Power Five teams, two of whom are in the Top 25, you’re going to get a real test as to how good you are. After the Vols’ defeated the N.C. State Wolfpack 67-58, it’s safe to call this trip a huge success.

Entering his third year as head coach of the program, Rick Barnes had higher than usual expectations within the confines of Rocky Top. With two wins in three days against Power Five schools, he’s already come out ahead for the NCAA Tournament race next March.

N.C. State was Tennessee basketball’s worst win of the trip, and that team upset the No. 2 ranked Arizona Wildcats. Two days before, the Vols defeated the No. 18 ranked Purdue Boilermakers in overtime.

And in between those two games, their only loss was to the No. 5 ranked Villanova Wildcats by nine points. Could anybody complain about this outcome in Knoxville?

Barnes has proven that he truly does have a team built in his image now. On Friday, it was in the best way.

Tennessee kept the tempo up, but they still struggled to score. The Vols shot under 40 percent from the field and committed 16 turnovers.

However, the Vols continued their effective, aggressive defense, holding the Wolfpack to 38.2 percent from the field and under 20 percent from three. Meanwhile, they forced 21 turnovers.

The intensity on defense and effort on 50/50 balls is what carried this team throughout the tournament. It bodes incredibly well for this team going forward.

At 4-1 on the season, Tennessee basketball has already generated expectations to go to the NCAA Tournament. These three games alone prove this team is legit.

The Vols have a Top 25 win, a Top 5 loss, and two Power Five wins overall. You can’t ask for more from this team.

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