Tennessee basketball destroys Mississippi State: 3 takeaways from Vols win
Tennessee basketball dominated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 76-54 in Starkville, Miss. Here are three takeaways from the Volunteers road win at MSU.
Tennessee basketball looked like the better team all night as they took care of business against the Bulldogs. Seriously, how is Mississippi State not in the NCAA Tournament?
Yes, I know all about their non-conference schedule. And, yes, I know they are only a little better than 500 in conference play, but this team is good. Well, that’s what we thought in the first half at least.
Truth is I do believe they are a good basketball team, but Tennessee played some of their best basketball of the year. It was incredible.
From the opening tip, this felt like a tournament game. The crowd was fantastic, and it led to the energy the team played with. This was an excellent test for the Vols, and check it off as another test past for Tennessee basketball.
The Vols stayed under control against the early pressure. After State went up 25-17, Tennessee ripped off a 15-5 run to take a 32-30 lead with about two minutes to go in the half. The first half was exactly what you would want to see from two of the top teams in the conference.
The second half went all for Tennessee, which was nice for fans on Rocky Top to see since they have recently struggled on the road. With the win, the Vols (22-7, 12-5 SEC) turn their attention to a revenge game against the Georgia Bulldogs at home on Senior Night. Here are three takeaways from Tennessee basketballs’ win against Mississippi State.
1. Admiral Schofield is SCHO-COLD
Coming off SEC Player of the Week honors, Admiral Schofield had another great game against Mississippi State. Does he have something against the State of Mississippi?
Did it just take for people to realize that he wanted to go by the name Jelly for him start playing like he was the best player in the conference?
He helped the Vols get a halftime lead and led the charge in being aggressive. He continued that level of play in the second half. State was screeching different answers, but Schofield was unstoppable. He finished the game with 24 points and seven rebounds.
2. Aggressive Play Paid Off
Tennessee basketball came out being the aggressor from the opening tip. Starting in the first half, they established an inside game with Grant Williams. He drew the double teams. We’ve said it for a while, and you all know as well as I do when the inside game is present the offense looks great.
The inside game also opened up the floor for getting to the rack, and that’s what the Vols did, especially in the first half. Tennessee made 14 of 16 free throw attempts in the first half.
The second half was much of the same. They were getting to the rim and playing hard-nosed defense. If Tennessee basketball could play this type of game the rest of the season, they could make a deep run in March.
3. Miss. State is Good, But Tennessee is BETTER
Mississippi State is a good basketball team and one I thought would be dangerous for the Vols going into this game. Unfortunately for them, Tennessee was playing outstanding basketball. The Vols played beautiful basketball on almost every offensive possession and tremendous defense all night long.
This was a good win for Tennessee basketball. No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Vols have finally clinched that double-bye and at least the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament.