Tennessee basketball: Vols prove they are ELITE with close loss to Kansas

The Kansas Jayhawks give Rick Barnes and the Vols their first loss of the season. Here are three takeaways from the game.

You can’t look at the final score and get the story of the game. It was a highly contested heavyweight battle between two really good teams. Tennessee hung with the Jayhawks and even controlled during some portions of the game.

Grant Williams was phenomenal but fouled out late in the game, giving the Vols virtually no chance to win in overtime. However, Admiral Schofield didn’t get the memo and did his best to keep Tennessee in it by coming alive in OT.

You might be questioning the title of this post because after all the Vols lost the game. However, one of the questions we all had about this team is how do they compare to the blue bloods of college basketball. We got our answer, the Vols could have won and maybe with another shot they will. Here are three takeaways of the game.

1. Grant Williams is a LEGIT Player of the Year candidate

What a tremendous game from Grant Williams. I’ll admit I was worried about how he would play against Kansas size, but Williams proved size is just a number. He controlled the low block the entire game and put a lot of pressure on Udoka Azubuike who fouled out of the game.

Williams was so good that Bill Self called off the double teams because he was ripping Kansas finding the open man. Despite fouling out late in the game, he found a way to finish with 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

We saw in the overtime just how much Williams means to the Vols. The offense was standing around and settled for tough shots. Without Williams, they looked lost which isn’t a good thing for the rest of the season.

2.  Lack post depth is worrisome for a deep postseason run

Don’t get me wrong, Tennessee is going to be just fine. They are a good team, but the lack of post depth is troubling. Grant Williams plays big, but he’s a bit undersized and really wasn’t an answer to stop Kansas’ big man Udoka Azubuike.

Kyle Alexander didn’t play particularly well, and when John Fulkerson is the first off the bench, you know you’re in trouble. Look, I’m not hating on Fulkerson, he gives 100 percent effort the whole time he’s out there. He just shouldn’t be the first big off the bench for a top-5 team in the nation.

But, that brings us to why Fulkerson is playing. Derrick Walker looks lost. He looks like he didn’t take the offseason serious. He looks like he doesn’t even pay attention during practice.

I’m not sure what the answer is but Rick Barnes needs to find one and he has plenty of time to do so.

3. Smarter shots could have won the game

I get it you have to take them to make them but at times -usually at the wrong times- Tennessee’s shot selection is horrible. Reminds me of JaJuan Smith out there running around just jacking up three-point shots as soon as the ball touches his hand.

Seriously, Kyle Alexander attempted a three-point shot. I don’t care if he is wide open and the opposing team is giving him the shot the entire game; he should pass on the bait, that’s not his game.

As good as Lamonte is and the all the clutch shots he hits, even his shot selection wasn’t great. Even Schofield struggled until he decided to post up and take advantage of his strength.

A loss doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Tennessee is going to be just fine and will have more chances to knock off higher ranked teams. Watch the film, learn, get better and get ready for the rest of the season.