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Tennessee basketball: Grant Williams’ 10 greatest games with Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots the ball 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: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots the ball 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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Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

9. March 24, 2019 vs. (10) Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA Tournament)

Tennessee: 83 Iowa: 77 (OT)

Grant Williams stat line: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks

Purdue was the first signature win for Tennessee basketball in the Grant Williams era to prove they had arrived. Beating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament was the final win of this era under Rick Barnes, and it got the Vols to the Sweet 16.

Williams posted better numbers in bigger games that could be on here, at least when it came to scoring. But his efficiency in this one, where he also came through and when he came through all count for something.

In addition to 19 points, Williams also had 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. He was solid with 7 rebounds as well. But his scoring en route to getting 19 points is a big reason that this game is on the list.

Iowa had fought back to send the game to overtime after being down by 25. Barnes needed to count on Williams for one more big win, and he came through in OT. With all the momentum on the Hawkeyes’ side, Williams went to work.

He scored six of the Vols’ first nine points in the overtime to give them an 80-73 lead. That was all this team needed to stay in control. They held onto win 83-77, but it was due to the statement Williams made to start off the OT session.

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