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Tennessee Basketball: 5 Things to Address this Offseason

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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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 06: Grant Williams
LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 06: Grant Williams /

4. Grant Williams For Three

Without looking, can you guess how many three-point shots Grant Williams made this year? What about how many he took?

Williams had a total of 25 three-point attempts this season and connected on three of them. Yep, Williams set the net on fire with his 12 percent shooting percentage from beyond the arc. I’m not knocking the SEC Player of the Year, without him, Tennessee wouldn’t have been as close to as good as they were.

But, 3-of-25, I know Williams is better than that. I also realize that Barnes didn’t ask nor did he need Williams to knock down the three ball. It was strange to see the struggle though. His freshman season Williams shot 12-of-32 from beyond the arc which is 37.5 percent. That’s not just pretty good for a big man, that’s overall pretty dang good.

But, why does Grant need that outside jumper? There are a couple of reasons. He plays big for his size, but if he wants to play in the NBA, he will have to change the way he plays. Williams won’t be able to overpower big men down low so the outside jumper will be crucial to his success.

Another reason that jumper Ian important is because it can’t hurt the team. Look at the two teams that just played for a National Championship in Michigan and Villanova. What did they have in common? A big man or two that could shoot the three ball.

Williams has the game to be a dominant player next year. He has already crossed SEC Player of the Year off his list and with an outside jumper he could cross National Player of the Year off as well.

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