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Tennessee basketball: 5 keys to help Vols have success in NCAA Tournament

By Billy Williford

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after 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: Jordan Bone #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after 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) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers attempts to drive around Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 23, 2019, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Purdue defeated Ohio State 79-67. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers attempts to drive around Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 23, 2019, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Purdue defeated Ohio State 79-67. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

No.3 – Don’t let one guy beat you

Tennessee has only lost five games this season; turns out one of the most successful seasons in the history of the program.

Depending on who you talk to people have many reasons why the Vols have lost four of their last ten games. And, depending on the person and theory they might be correct. However, it’s not as simple as one thing.

If you’re one of the people that think it’s the three-point defense I’m not convinced you’re right.

Hear me out.

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    • Tennessee has only allowed teams to shoot over 38 percent from the three-point line 12 times this season. They are 10-2 in those games when wins over Gonzaga, Ole Miss, Louisville, and Kentucky. If you take it back to 35 percent, the Vols have a record of 14-3. LSU won shooting just 32 percent from outside and Kansas shot just 29.4 percent and got the win.

    What about when the Vols turn the ball over a lot?

    Well, that doesn’t really add up either. In eight games this season Tennessee has had a turnover percentage of over 20 percent and is 7-1.

    However, there is something that has been consistent in the losses; letting players have big games.

    In the loss at Rupp Arena, P.J. Washington scored 23 points while Keldon Johnson scored 19. Chuma Okeke dropped 22 points on 3-for-5 from the three-point line in the game at Auburn. Even against LSU Javonte Smart scored 29 and Skylar Mays scored 23.

    Guys are going to get their points against Tennessee but if they can limit them as much as possible it bodes well for a deep run.

    A perfect example is Mississippi State’s best player Quinndary Weatherspoon. In Knoxville, he scored seven points and Tennessee won 71-54. In the SEC Tournament, Weatherspoon turned it around by scoring 17 points and kept the Bulldogs within single digits.

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