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NCAA Tournament 2021: Five players for Tennessee basketball to watch first weekend

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ethan Thompson (5) gestures on the court during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ethan Thompson (5) gestures on the court during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers forward Warith Alatishe (10) tips a rebound during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers forward Warith Alatishe (10) tips a rebound during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Junior; 6’7″ 200 pounds

Defensive specialists can always provide value in the NCAA Tournament, and two elite ones are in the Tennessee Vols’ bracket. One is Kalib Boone, a 6’9″ 210-pound sophomore with the Oklahoma State Cowboys averaging over one and a half blocks a game. If UT meets Boone, he could be a tough force to deal with.

However, since we don’t know for sure if the Vols will play OSU, Jarod Lucas of Oregon State got the fifth spot. Another Oregon State defensive specialist who does more than Boone gets into this spot. Warith Alatishe is the most versatile defender in this bracket outside of Yves Pons.

A transfer from the Nicholls State Colonels, moving to Power Five play hasn’t phased Alatishe at all. He is averaging eight and a half rebounds a game, including nearly three and a half offensive rebounds. Meanwhile, he is averaging nearly one and a half blocks a game. Proving his versatility, though, he is also averaging over a steal a game.

Although he is not an elite shooter, Alatishe’s athleticism leads to scoring opportunities as well, which is why he is averaging just under 10 points a game. He provides the hustle plays for Oregon State, and if UT is not careful, his defense could send them home early.

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