Tennessee basketball: 3 takeaways from Vols win vs. LSU Tigers
Tennessee basketball extended its winning streak to four games, beating the LSU Tigers 84-61. Here are three takeaways from the Volunteers’ win.
What a scare that could have been. Grant Williams went out of the game early with an injury. Of course, Tennessee basketball fans were CONCERNED. No worries though, Williams came back in the game and looked like his usual self.
The Vols are rolling into their matchup with Ole Miss on a four-game winning streak. The win gives them a 16-5 overall record and 6-3 in the SEC. Most importantly, Tennessee basketball let LSU back in the game but turned it around and pulled away for an 84-61 win. That marks two back to back 20 plus point wins.
With the win, the Vols host Ole Miss on Saturday before heading on a two-game road trip against Kentucky and Alabama. Kentucky’s young guys are starting to gel and have won three games in a row.
Alabama also is hot. They were coming off an 80-73 win against Oklahoma on Saturday when Tennessee picked up this win and began their game against Missouri right after the Vols finished.
The upcoming schedule will be a difficult stretch for Tennessee basketball. In fact, the next five games after Ole Miss will give us an idea if this team is a contender or pretender. As mentioned, Tennessee plays at Kentucky and at Alabama before hosting South Carolina. It doesn’t get easier as the Vols have to travel to Georgia and then Florida.
Here, they got another one of their grind it out type of wins. Guess what else happened in this game. Yep, you’re right, a different second half time. This kind of victory has to be getting frustrating for fans. I mean at the end of the day a win is a win, but these types of games will get them beat in March. Here are three takeaways from Tennessee basketball’s win.
1. Frustrating stretches, but hey, it Works
Look I know basketball is a game of runs and I know it sounds silly to complain about a win but that second half was rough to watch at times. In many games, this season the Vols have started out great, but after halftime, there is a different Tennessee team on the court.
The Vols did go on a little run and extend the lead with James Daniel III and Grant Williams leading the way. Speaking of Daniel III, he followed up his 16-point performance against Iowa State with a 17-point game against the Tigers.
Watching Daniel III is such a delight. He did have two turnovers, but he conducts the offense better than the other guards.
2. Oh, Good GRANT-ious
The heading goes two-ways. Earlier in in-game Grant Williams went down with an injury. To say Vols fans were anxious about Williams health is an understatement. They took a deep breath as he checked back into the game and scored four straight points, though.
Williams put up fabulous numbers again. He had 16 points and six rebounds. He is such a difference maker in the game. You see the stat line game in and game out, but Williams does so much more. He draws double teams to open the shooters. He is an exceptional passer and plays immeasurable defense.
3. Dropping Dimes
At one point during the first half, Tennessee had 14 assists on 18 made field goals. Also, to be noted there were nine different Vols that scored in the first half. In the second half, Tennessee maintained the unselfish play by adding ten more assists. The final tally was 24 assists on 33 made field goals.
The unselfish play was the reason eleven Vols scored against LSU. Freshman guard, Jalen Johnson was able to knock down his first three-point shot of the season with a sound pass from Lamonte Turner.
Extra point: Kyle Alexander Block Update
Kyle Alexander added three more blocks to his season total against LSU. That gives him 12 blocks in the past five games. Alexander should just start wagging his finger like Dikembe Mutombo.