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Tennessee basketball: Despite giving up more points, Vols defense hasn’t dropped off

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defended by Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 19: John Petty #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defended by Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 26: Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers lines up on defense in front of James Bolden #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 26, 2019, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

No.2 – Three-point shooting percentage

Much like the slide before, there isn’t that much difference in three-point shooting percentage for opponents either. Despite there being a couple of games where it seems like opponents couldn’t miss like Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, the stats show the Vols are just as good this season guarding the three-point jumper as last season.

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There were 12 games last season where Tennessee let teams shoot over 40 percent from deep. The Vols were 8-4 in those games, which included losses to Kentucky, Georgia, Loyola-Chicago, and Arkansas.

When the defense was turned up and was able to hold opponents to 30 percent or under from the three-point line, Tennessee went 12-2. The two losses came against Missouri and Auburn. Their best game defending the three-point shot was when they held the Ole Miss Rebels to 1-for-23 from beyond the arc.

In 21 games this season, Tennessee has only allowed two teams to shoot 40 percent or higher from the three-point line. Vols took both of those games beating Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

There have been seven times this season where Tennessee held their opponents under 30 percent shooting from deep. They went 6-1 in those games, with again the only loss coming to Kansas.

One of the most significant differences in guarding the long-range jumper is the Vols finished last season only allowing 31.8 percent from deep which was 18th best in the nation. However, this season they are giving up 33.1 percent which ranks 119th overall.

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