During the first 14 games of the season, Tennessee Vols hoops star Chaz Lanier was not only looking like the best player in the SEC, but easily one of the best in the country. He was a big reason why Tennessee started off 14-0 and was the No. 1 team in the country.
However, in the past three games, the Vols are 2-1, have dropped to No. 6 in the country and there are times where it looks Lanier can't buy a bucket. This was the case in the win over No. 23 Georgia, as Lanier went 2-of-16 from the floor, including 1-of-9 from downtown to finish with five points.
Thankfully, Lanier's terrible night came in a win for the Vols. With him looking so rough in the past three contests, countless Vols supporters are feeling pretty dang worried about him the rest of the way in conference play. Not to worry, head coach Rick Barnes said.
Rick Barnes: I don't worry about Chaz. He's improving. He's going to have to make some tough shots, but I thought he did as good of a job tonight as he has all year about getting ready to shoot. This is a different level. He's learning.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) January 16, 2025
Tennessee Vols head coach Rick Barnes isn't worried about Chaz Lanier
"Everyone goes through it," Barnes said after the win via Vols 247. "Dalton (Knecht) had some nights last year. And I shouldn't even bring (Knecht) up because everybody wants to make that comparison and you can't compare players. The best of the best, I've seen them go through some period where they struggle to shoot. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but really, I don't worry about Chaz, because he's making an improvement. Like tonight, he's going to have to make some tough shots obviously, but I actually thought he did a pretty good job. Maybe as good as he's done all year getting himself set up quicker."
Prior to the disapponting performance against Georgia, Lanier scored 10 points in each game against Texas and Florida. Before that, he put on a show against Arkansas, scoring a season-high 29 points, which really had people talking.
Like Barnes said, everyone goes through a bit of a dry spell at times on the hardwood. Lanier is simply too good of a player to keep having such a hard time finding the bottom of the net. Soon enough, he'll find his stroke again and all will be right, Barnes is sure of it.