Tennessee basketball: Vols push for first Sweet 16 berth since 2014
The Tennessee basketball team takes the court on Sunday afternoon against the Iowa Hawkeyes for a berth in the Sweet 16. Here is the preview of the game.
One more win, just one more and the Tennessee basketball team will be dancing in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014. The Vols opened with Iowa that year in Dayton, Ohio in the “First Four” games. After the win, Tennessee took on a Massachusetts team that had no business being a No.6 seed. And, thanks to a No.14 Mercer upset over Duke, the Vols were headed to the Sweet 16 with ease.
Tennessee has spent the entire season ranked inside the top-10 so not making the Sweet 16 could be looked upon as a failure. And, after getting put out by Loyola-Chicago last season, things wouldn’t feel great in Knoxville.
Before we break down both teams, below is all the information you need to turn into the game.
No.10 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. No.2 Tennessee Volunteers
When: Sunday, March 24 at 12:10 p.m. E.T.
Where: Nationwide Arena; Columbus, OH
TV: CBS
Live Stream: NCAA.com
Line: Tennessee -8
Over/Under: 155.5
VIEW OF THE VOLS
Record: 30-5 (15-3 SEC)
Last 5: 3-2
Last 10: 7-3
Tennessee almost lost in the first round to a No.15 seed; quick everyone get ready, let’s burn Knoxville to the ground. Just kidding, Volnation needs to chill. Survive and advance, that’s what teams do in March.
Colgate shot over 50 percent from the three-point line, but that is nothing new for a team that averages over 40 percent on the season. Not to mention their 7th game shooting over 50 percent from deep. It also marked ten out of their past eleven games where they shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc.
What no one is talking about is how Tennessee’s interior defense played all out and held Colgate to just 37 percent, a season-low.
But, that offense though. Yeah, it wasn’t great.
Tennessee attempted 26 three-pointers which is hardly a recipe for success. In fact, the Vols are 16-1 on the season when they attempt less than 20 three-point shots. If they want to continue dancing, they have to get Grant Williams going.
VIEW OF THE HAWKEYES
Record: 23-11 (10-10 BIG10)
Last 5: 2-3
Last 10: 4-6
The Hawkeyes are coming into the game with a 4-6 record in their past ten games. However, they beat Cincinnati 79-72, and that is the only game that really matters.
Hello, Colgate number two.
Iowa loves to shoot the long-range ball even when it’s not falling. Against Michigan in the Big 10 Tournament, they shot 1-for-16, and that wasn’t enough to change their gameplan. 1-for-16 is not what you should expect from the Hawkeyes though. While they don’t shoot it as good as Colgate, Iowa does hover around the 37 percent mark for the season.
They do have six games over the 50 percent mark from deep and even shot 15-for-21, 71.4 percent, against Illinois. 16 times the Hawkeyes have finished a game shooting over 38 percent from deep; they are 14-2 in those games.
Can you guess where they struggle? Interior defense.
Iowa ranks 306 in the nation in two-point percentage defense, that’s almost last. If Tennessee takes more than 20 three-point shots the offensive game plan was made to fail.
PREDICTION
I’ll make this as simple as I can for everyone. Get Grant Williams the ball and Tennessee will win by double digits. If Jordan Bone plays aggressive by driving to the rim, the Vols will win by double digits. If Lamonte Turner plays within the offense by taking smart shots, the Vols will win by double digits.
But, what about Iowa’s shooting? Can the Vols stop a red-hot shooting team from outside? Here is a look at Tennessee’s record when they allow the opposing team to shoot the following percentages from deep.
Over 38%: 11-2
Over 39%: 7-0
Over 40%: 5-0
Over 45%: 4-0
Over 50%: 2-0
Over 60%: 1-0
Next. 5 keys to help Vols have success in NCAA Tournament. dark
It’s almost as if the Vols have a better chance at winning when the opposing team shoots lights out from the three-point line. If Tennessee runs their offense through Williams and takes smart shots, they will be playing next weekend. If not, it will be back-to-back seasons losing on the first weekend. Tennessee 84 Iowa 73.