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Tennessee basketball preview vs. Lenoir-Rhyne: Vols look for strong start

By Billy Williford

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Admiral Schofield #5 and Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Admiral Schofield #5 and Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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It’s official; the Tennessee basketball team get underway as they host the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. Here is all the information you need to know for the game.

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It seems like yesterday I was sitting down to write the preview for the West Virginia football game. And, now it’s November, and it’s basketball time in Tennessee. The No.6 ranked Volunteers host the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears to open the season.

There are high expectations in Knoxville. Rick Barnes returns the top six scorers from an SEC Regular-Season Championship team. The question of the season now becomes to how can this team handle the pressure?

Here is all the information you need for the Vols’ game vs. the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears.

No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Lenoir-Rhyne Bears
When: Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m. E.T.
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena; Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN

VIEW OF THE VOLS

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The Vols return almost everyone from a magical season a year ago. Returning SEC Player of the Year, Grant Williams is looking to have another strong season. Williams erupted last season by averaging a team-high 15.2 points per game. Rick Barnes wants perfection from the junior forward as he continues to take his game to the next level.

Speaking of next level, senior forward, Admiral Schofield is ready to prove he has NBA talent. Schofield showed up and showed out during the last half of the season. He and Williams became one of the best duos in college basketball. Schofield averaged 13.9 points per game last year and shot close to 40 percent from the three-point line.

Finally, everyone is expecting big stuff from sophomore guard Yves Pons. The former four-star prospect from France should have a significant role this season. He has excellent athleticism giving him the ability to guard anyone on the court. His progression should be one of the most on the team.

VIEW OF THE BEARS

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Last 5:
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The Bears finished the season 11-16 with two straight losses to Queens. If you aren’t familiar with Lenior-Rhyne, they play in the South Atlantic Conference with LMU, Carson-Newman, and Tusculum.

The media projected Lenior-Rhyne to finish fifth in the conference which has to do with some of the players they return. One of the best players in the conference, Djibril Diallo begins his senior tour. Last season, Diallo averaged 15.1 points per game and shot close to 35 percent from the three-point line.

Cory Thomas is another senior returning. Last season he averaged 14.3 points per game. Thomas is the type of player that can go off any game. He scored 20 points or more in seven games last season. Thomas and Diallo are two of the four top scorers from a year ago. The Bears might not have enough to challenge the Vols, but they will be a bit more experienced.

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VIEW FROM US

The Vols should handle Lenior-Rhyne with ease. This is a good opening matchup to get the season rolling. One thing to watch for in the game is can the Vols make their three-point shots? Last season both Lamonte Turner and Admiral Schofield shot nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc, can that match it this season? Tennessee 87 Lenior-Rhyne 61.

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