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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 /

3. Tennessee basketball has to be able to match other teams’ adjustments.

Eventually last year, Tennessee basketball woke up to reality after teams adjusted to their five-game winning streak. Opposing teams realized that the Vols had inconsistent combo guards and that Robert Hubbs III couldn’t score too far outside the paint.

So they packed the interior to stop Hubbs and Grant Williams, and Rick Barnes never adjusted. Adjustments are a very weak spot for Barnes, especially in games.

The North Carolina Tar Heels and Villanova Wildcats both adjusted defensively to what he was doing in the second half of games this year. And that’s why both teams beat him, especially UNC.

Barnes has to make sure his team can keep up with adjustments the SEC will have for him. Remember, this is a league loaded with very good coaches now.

As a result, Tennessee basketball will be going up against guys with high IQs each week. And they’ll figure out things that the Vols are doing to continue winning.

So Tennessee basketball will either have to counter that with just raw talent or find a way to stay ahead of the other coaches. As great of a coach as Barnes is, this is one area where he isn’t completely proven. In fact, it has cost him a few times during his career.

That could be dangerous for him this year. But a key to adjustments is how he handles one side of the ball. We go to that side next.

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