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Tennessee basketball: 3 takeaways from Vols U-G-L-Y win vs. Mississippi State

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 06: Tennessee Volunteers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 6, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 76-65. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 06: Tennessee Volunteers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 6, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 76-65. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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It wasn’t pretty, but Tennessee basketball beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the SEC Tournament. Here are three takeaways from the Volunteers victory.

Before I start the basketball talk, the freshman guard, Nick Weatherspoon went down with an injury, and he couldn’t get up on his own strength. It seemed serious enough for him to be taken out of the game on a stretcher. I think I can speak for the rest of the writers here at allfortennessee.com and all the Tennessee basketball and Mississippi State players and coaches by saying our thoughts and prayers are with Nick and the Weatherspoon family.

There’s never a good segue from an injury like that, but Tennessee basketball looked sluggish most of the game and still found a way to win the game. Isn’t that how this season has gone, though? The defensive mentality and the grind it out style have continued to be Tennessee’s ways to win games.

With the win, the Vols turn their attention to the winner of the Florida and Arkansas game. Here are three takeaways from Tennessee basketballs’ win against Mississippi State.

1. Admiral Schofield Continues to Impress

The ALL-SEC Second Team selection has continued playing like a first-teamer. Schofield had 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. In the first half, Schofield and Lamonte Turner were the only Vols to have multiple made field goals.

In the past four games, Schofield has had 85 points and 25 rebounds to help the Vols to a 4-0 record during that span. He needs to continue to bring his impressive play for Tennessee to keep winning ball games.

2. Controlled the Bulldogs and the Boards

The offense looked horrible yet again. I feel like the Vols have had games where they honestly couldn’t make a shot if they were wide open. On the other hand, the defense looked fantastic.

They held Mississippi State to only 59 points on 20-of-56 shooting. To add to the staggering defense, the Vols held State to only 25% shooting from beyond the arc.

Tennessee also controlled the boards, especially on the offensive glass. Mississippi State only had 33 to Tennessee’s 50 boards. The offensive rebound numbers look like State only with 10 and the Vols with 22.

A big key in that was Lamonte Turner having eight rebounds himself as a guard. Tell me that kid didn’t want to win.

3. Survived and Now Advancing

The SEC Tournament continues not to disappoint. There have only been three games so far in the tournament that have been decided by more than five points. The key to March is to grind out wins, survive the runs, and advance to the next round and the Vols are doing just that.

The win gives Tennessee basketball a five-game winning streak. As much as an SEC Championship would be nice, is that what is best to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament? History actually proves that it isn’t, but if there is one team that can prove anyone and anything wrong, it’s this year’s basket Vols.

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