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Tennessee basketball: 4 keys for Vols in SEC Tournament

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Jordan Bowden playing big

If it weren’t for a few games down the stretch of the SEC season, Jordan Bowden would have won SEC Sixth Man of the Year. Hassani Gravett was the winner of the award, and rightfully so, he had an outstanding SEC run.

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Bowden started SEC play on an absolute tear scoring over 15 points in each of the first four games. In fact, nine of the first ten conference games saw Bowden score in double-digits. But, then came the stretch of games that no one can really explain what happened.

A lack of confidence, perhaps?

Bowden scored a combined 15 points in the four-game stretch from Kentucky in Rupp Arena to Mississippi in Oxford. During that span of games, Bowden shot just 20.8 percent from the floor, including 0-for-11, zero percent from the three-point line.

But, when Bowden is at his best so is Tennessee. The Vols are a combined 29-3 the past two seasons when Bowden scores at least ten points.

One thing the Vols need Bowden to do is drive to the bucket more often. He’s a good three-point shooter, but this season he’s been even better getting to the rack. In conference play, Bowden is 51-for-86, 59.3 percent, from inside the arc. That percentage ranks tenth in the SEC.

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