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Tennessee basketball: 5 keys for Vols in NCAA Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the semifinals of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 10, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the semifinals of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 10, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

2. Make quick adjustments on offense

We’ve already mentioned Tennessee basketball’s defense. There’s no reason to believe that won’t be fine in the NCAA Tournament as long as they do what they have been doing all year. Then aggression in the paint and outside scoring are obvious keys.

But to make sure the offense works out, Rick Barnes will have to overcome one of his struggles. Barnes is great at scouting and preparation. That’s one of his advantages.

However, he is not the best coach when it comes to in-game offensive adjustments. The North Carolina Tar Heels beating the Vols last December proved that. Roy Williams made a few defensive switches in the second half, and he wasn’t able to overcome them.

Depending on the coach he runs into in the tournament, Barnes will have to make sure he is ready for some adjustments. It’s highly unlikely he goes through the whole tournament without facing one coach who can switch up his defensive scheme mid-game.

If a team switches to a zone or a late press on in-bounds passes, how will Barnes adjust? He’s a great coach, but this is something he has got to focus on.

Adjustments won’t matter if the Vols are shooting well from the outside on that particular day. But it’s likely they have at least one off-game.

And if they do, Barnes may need to come up with second half adjustments to make sure the scoring continues to complement the defense. That’s an absolute must for Tennessee to make a deep run.

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