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Tennessee basketball: Five things we learned about Vols in 2022 SEC Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 13, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) and guard Zakai Zeigler (5) forward Uros Plavsic (33) celebrate after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) and guard Zakai Zeigler (5) forward Uros Plavsic (33) celebrate after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Keion Brooks Jr. (12) defends Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) during the first half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Keion Brooks Jr. (12) defends Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) during the first half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Pressure defense remains a problem for the Vols’ offense.

Remember the Auburn game just over two weeks ago? Tennessee basketball had a 10-point lead with under two minutes to go, but the Tigers cut it to 63-60 with 59 seconds to go. What happened? They pressed and went into desperation mode, and the Vols had trouble breaking that press, committing three turnovers.

It happened again when they faced Kentucky. Rocky Top was up 63-51 with just under three minutes to go. They were up 65-62 with just over 90 seconds to go. Once again, John Calipari turned up the press defense, and UT’s offense couldn’t break it.

The Vols committed two turnovers in that one. If they are going to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, this can’t continue to be an issue. It was the one time all weekend in which there was a legitimate concern that they wouldn’t walk away with a win, and had they blown it against Kentucky, it would have been devastating for all fans.

Fortunately for Tennessee basketball, the Vols were able to regroup and take control of that game in the end. They did that against Auburn too, so they deserve lots of credit for remaining mentally tough, but playing with fire like that can prove costly if you’re not careful.

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