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NCAA Tournament: Five reasons Tennessee basketball could lose to Oregon State

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 12, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon State Beavers forward Warith Alatishe (10) celebrates with forward Rodrigue Andela (34) after defeating the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon State Beavers forward Warith Alatishe (10) celebrates with forward Rodrigue Andela (34) after defeating the Oregon Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) holds his head after an injury during the second half of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game against Florida at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 12, 2021.Ut Fla Sec 031221 An 032
Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) holds his head after an injury during the second half of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game against Florida at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 12, 2021.Ut Fla Sec 031221 An 032 /

1. John Fulkerson’s health could affect Vols’ biggest advantage.

Given the way the Oregon State Beavers rely heavily on their backcourt play, Tennessee basketball could use its inside game for a major advantage to advance in the NCAA Tournament. That’s been a mark of this team at its best all year.

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John Fulkerson’s offensive output combined with Yves Pons athleticism is the perfect combination for that, as it’s an offense/defense combo. However, Fulkerson was knocked out of the SEC Tournament quarterfinals game against the Florida Gators and hasn’t returned. If he’s not on the court in the first round, this advantage is neutralize.

Pons and the Vols’ backcourt is still elite, but Oregon State has all the horses to match that. After all, Warith Alatishe, who we mentioned in the previous slide, is very similar to Pons. While Pons is 6’6″ 215 pounds, Alatishe is 6’7″ 200 pounds, and Alatishe is averaging eight and a half rebounds and nearly one and a half blocks a game.

Then, as we already mentioned, Oregon State has its own backcourt with Ethan Thompson and Jarod Lucas to compete with whichever two guards Rick Barnes puts out there. Although UT has more depth there, Thompson and Lucas have more than enough in the tank to compete with any of them for 40 minutes.

Next. Five players Vols need to key on in NCAA Tourney. dark

Simply put, Tennessee basketball’s biggest advantage against Oregon State is having Fulkerson, and without him, the game may become a toss-up. Not having Fulky is an overall NCAA Tournament advantage, not just for this game. Even if he can go, him not being 100 percent could be an issue as well. UT needs him desperately.

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