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Tennessee basketball: 5 keys for Vols in 2017-2018 SEC play

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Tennessee Volunteers players react in the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 82-80. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Tennessee Volunteers players react in the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 82-80. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

5. Tennessee basketball needs to be able to win consistently through late February.

For two years in a row, the Vols showed hope in February of at least being a dangerous team. Last year, it seemed like they would easily be able to make the NCAA Tournament at that point after huge wins against the Kentucky Wildcats, Kansas State Wildcats and Auburn Tigers.

However, both times, they collapsed at the worst moments. The 2015-2016 team was simply too inexperienced and not deep enough. As a result, a couple of key injuries cost them down the stretch.

The 2016-2017 was deeper but still not consistent. And both times, the team suffered unacceptable losses from February into March.

Remember, the Vols suffered a four-game losing streak centered around the turn of the month back in 2016, with two losses in February and two losses in March. In 2017, it was even worse.

With the NCAA Tournament largely in play, the Vols suffered a three game losing streak, two of which were to significantly worse teams: the Vanderbilt Commodores and LSU Tigers. Then they lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Tournament.

Although the four-game losing streak in 2016 was just a product of their weaknesses, they had no excuse to suffer like that with much more talent in 2017.

Given their schedule strength last year,  just three more wins would’ve gotten them into the NCAA Tournament. This year, they need to make sure they close out the season right. But part of closing it out relates to how they close out games. We go to that next.

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