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March Madness 2022: Five reasons Tennessee Vols could lose to Longwood Lancers in NCAA Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Amelie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Amelie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA – NOVEMBER 20: Nate Lliteras #2 of the Longwood Lancers takes a jump shot during the Jerome Kersey Classic college basketball game against the UMBC Retrievers on November 20, 2021 in Farmville, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA – NOVEMBER 20: Nate Lliteras #2 of the Longwood Lancers takes a jump shot during the Jerome Kersey Classic college basketball game against the UMBC Retrievers on November 20, 2021 in Farmville, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Three-point shooting

Well this one’s obvious. Three-point shooting is always a way for teams to pull off upsets in March Madness, as if one team gets red-hot, they can go on a deep run. Yes, Longwood is one of those teams under Griff Aldrich who is capable of doing that. As a result, the Vols need to be on notice.

The Lancers shoot 38 percent from three. They have hit over eight three-pointers a game on the year. DeShaun Wade leads the way with between two and two and a half threes a game, but Isaiah Wilkins hits just under two a game, Nate Lliteras hits nearly one and a half a game, and Justin Hill hits one a game.

Three players shoot 40 percent or better from beyond the arc. As a result, this team is beyond dangerous from outside, and one good shooting period, particularly if it comes during those dry offensive spells the Vols have that were mentioned, could change everything.

It also doesn’t hurt Longwood that they don’t turn the ball over, averaging just 12 a game, but to be fair, that’s not a big deal for Rocky Top. After all, Rick Barnes’ team, while known for its defense, actually is known for contesting shots more than anything. That also hurts, though, as a shooting team like Longwood can make shots contested or not.

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