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NCAA Tournament 2021: Tennessee basketball’s five keys

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 12, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks in a huddle during the first half against the Florida Gators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks in a huddle during the first half against the Florida Gators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) shoots a free throw against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) shoots a free throw against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Maintain free throw shooting advantage

One of the strongest aspects of Tennessee basketball’s game has been free throw shooting. UT hot 74.6 percent on the year, good for top 60 in the nation. What’s better for the Vols is that none of the higher seeded teams in the Midwest Region of their bracket shoot a better percentage than them, so that could go a long way.

There have been mess-ups throughout the year, though. Last weekend was most notable. despite shooting well for most of the game, Davonte Gaines missed two free throws with 25 seconds left and the Vols down by one to the Alabama Crimson Tide. That cost them in the end.

They also shot an uncharacteristic 10-of-16, or 62.5 percent, in their shocking 52-50 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels. If they shot their season average in that game, they would have won. In each of their first three losses on the year, they shot below 70 percent as well, and that may have cost them their first game against Alabama and their game at the Missouri Tigers.

At the Florida Gators, a 75-49 loss, the Vols shot 12-of-25, or 48 percent. Although that likely wouldn’t have made a difference given the score, it certainly put the game out of reach. Simply put, this team needs to use its advantage at the foul line. That could help it go far in those close NCAA Tournament games that will inevitably come.

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