Tennessee basketball: 3 takeaways from Vols 67-62 win vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Tennessee basketball swept the season series and won its fifth SEC game beating the Commodores 67-62. Here are three takeaways from the Volunteers ‘win.
Tennessee basketball (14-5, 5-3) extended their winning streak and won its fifth game in SEC play tonight. The Vols started off slow but turned things around when the 3-point shots started falling from Jordan Bowden. The win marks the first time the Vols swept the season series against Vanderbilt since the 2012-2013 season.
With the win, Tennessee moves to 5-3 in SEC play and 4th in the standings. Looking above at the leaders, Florida, Alabama, and Auburn all have tough conference games upcoming. The Vols could make a run for the top spot in standings if they can put a couple of more wins together.
Tennessee basketball proved it could win the games it is supposed to win. The Commodores got within two points after trailing by 20 early in the second half, but the depth of the Volunteers was too much. On the other hand, Vanderbilt falls to 2-6 in SEC play and is not playing very good basketball. It doesn’t get any easier for the ‘Dores as their next three opponents in conference play are Kentucky, Auburn, and Georgia.
The Vols have won five of their last six games. This was their only home stop this week, as they travel to Ames, Iowa, on Jan. 27 to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. Despite the Big 12 winning the overall challenge all four seasons, the Vols are 2-1 in challenge play. After Iowa State, Rick Barnes’s team has winnable games in the following two-game homestand against LSU and Ole Miss.
The Vols played well and controlled early but let Vandy back in it late. Nonetheless, a win is a win for Tennessee fans. Here are three takeaways from Tennessee basketball’s win against Vanderbilt.
1. Bowden is Back Folks
Jordan Bowden is finally back. Tennessee basketball fans have been waiting to hear those words. The past two games have been horrible for Bowden only accounting for two points on 0-7 shooting from 3-point range.
He hit his first 3-point shot since the Texas A&M game earlier this month. We know what Bowden is capable of; earlier in the season he was shooting 61% from the 3-point line. He even had games where he was 4-5 and 5-5 against Mercer and Wake Forest.
Bowden bounced back tonight and had 19 points on 6-10 shooting. At the half, Bowden had eleven points and was close to outscoring Vandy himself. We saw a season-high five 3-point shots fall for number 23.
2. Defense was destructive in the 1st half
This might be a recurring theme with this year’s team. Much like the South Carolina game, there were periods in the game, especially in the first half where Tennessee’s defense looks like they could stop the Golden State Warriors.
They held Vanderbilt to 29% shooting and 1-12 from the 3-point range. The Commodores ended the half with just 15 points.
Second half was a much different story. Vanderbilt got hot from the 3-point line and closed a 20-point deficit to four points late in the game.
It has been awhile since the Vols put a complete game together defensively. Down the stretch, the defense will need to bring the 1st half intensity the whole game.
3. Grant = Guaranteed
Grant Williams is an absolute beast. He didn’t have the best game from the field only shooting 3-8. Williams had 25 points, three assist, and three rebounds. He attempted a team-high 14 free throw and connected on 12 of them.
Williams is guaranteed to put up numbers every game for the Vols. He is shooting a ridiculous 48.4% from the field, and for a big guy, he is consisted shooting 75% from the free throw line.
William is Tennessee basketball’s differences maker. With his leadership, the Vols could make this a magical season.