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Tennessee basketball: 3 takeaways from Vols 70-67 win vs. South Carolina

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Robert Hubbs III #3 and Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Robert Hubbs III #3 and Kyle Alexander #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball got back on track. It wasn’t all pretty, but the UT Volunteers held off the USC Gamecocks. Here are three takeaways from their victory.

Roses are red; Violets are blue, those refs love whistles, which makes Tennessee basketball fans boo! Sorry, I had to, but seriously there is something about these SEC refs that like the sound a whistle makes.

Turning the page to the game, the Vols got back on track after that thumping they received from Alabama. South Carolina doesn’t have an excellent record, and I’m not trying to be the “SEC guy,” but the Gamecocks aren’t a bad team.

For a minute it looked like the Vols were going to run away with the game. That didn’t happen, as South Carolina was able to keep it tight. It wasn’t always pretty, but Tennessee basketball fans have to be thrilled with the energy especially compared to what the team gave in Tuscaloosa. This was a solid win that the Vols needed.

With the win, Tennessee is 19-6 overall and 9-4 in the SEC. They are currently in the second place in the SEC standings. An SEC Title might not be in the picture, but Auburn does play Kentucky tomorrow night. If this league has taught us anything this year, it’s that anything is possible.
A tough win for the Vols and they can focus their attention to a game at the Georgia Bulldogs that can be extremely tricky. Here are three takeaways from Tennessee basketball’s win against South Carolina.

1. Grant Williams is a Work-Horse

This kid just keeps getting better. It is very satisfying for Vols fans watching him play ball. Late in the game when Tennessee basketball needed a bucket, guess who stepped up and made the play. That’s right, Grant Williams. Even with the double team, Williams was able to hit the shot to put the Vols up 70-67, which gave them the win.

Williams ended with 22 points, two blocks, one assist, and five rebounds. If it weren’t for him, the Vols would have dropped two straight games.

2. Jordan Bowden was in the building!

We saw another Jordan Bowden sighting in Thompson-Boling Arena tonight. Bowden was able to get things cooking for early. He ended the game with 14 points on 4-12 shooting and added five rebounds.

It looked like a much more aggressive style of play from the second-year guard. The aggressiveness stemmed to both sides of the ball as Bowden contributed two steals.

Tennessee basketball is 4-0 when Bowden makes four or more 3-point shots in a game. He was huge on the boards as well, and when Bowden has four or more rebounds, Tennessee is 8-2.

3. Random Rotation?

Raise your hand if you understand Tennessee basketball’s rotation. – I thought so, no hands – That’s because we genuinely have no clue what Barnes and crew is going to throw out on the court.

In the game against Alabama, Jalen Johnson played 17 minutes and appeared like he was hustling hard the entire game. On the other hand, Chris Darrington only played eight minutes. Fast forward to South Carolina, Darrington played, but Johnson didn’t.

The Incredible Fulk (John Fulkerson) deserves love. The heart and effort he showed last year was absolutely heartwarming for any fan. He is easily a kid Rocky Top can get behind and support, but why is he playing right now? He doesn’t look ready.

*Kyle Alexander block update: Back with the blocks! Alexander had one block against South Carolina. He has a total of 22 blocks in the last ten games. *

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