All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee basketball: 5 things we learned about Vols from SEC Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

3. Vols can go small if necessary.

One big thing we saw from Tennessee basketball is the fact that they can go small. Kyle Alexander fouled out for the Vols with 10 minutes left in the SEC Tournament semifinal game against the Kentucky Wildcats.

John Fulkerson is a serviceable backup, but he can’t give you big minutes as a reliable starter. Everybody saw that last year when the Vols lost to Loyola-Chicago specifically due to Alexander being out of the game.

As a result, Barnes had to go small at times with Jordan Bone, Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner all on the court along with Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams. Now, to be fair, small refers to height since Williams is still huge. We mean they can go without length for a period of time.

It was difficult for a while, but when the Vols turned up the press and the tempo, they managed to get the stops they needed. This is something Barnes should be able to take into the NCAA Tournament that he may not have known he had.

Sure, he likes the physical, half-court defense. But he is also capable of coaching tempo, and this team can turn it up if necessary. That might be a big deal in certain games, especially if Alexander gets in foul trouble again.

The key is keeping up the pressure on defense and making the right passes on offense without turning the ball over. However, we now know that it can be done because of that Kentucky win. And that’s great news for Rocky Top.

Home/Vols Basketball