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Tennessee basketball outlasts turnovers in dominant win over Montana

By Colton Pickard

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) dribbles the ball during an NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Montana Grizzlies at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.
Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) dribbles the ball during an NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Montana Grizzlies at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. / Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball earned its third win on Wednesday night as the Vols cruised past Montana 92-57 to continue its dominant start. 

All five starters for Tennessee played a big role in earning the win in one way or another — Four of the five starters finished with 11 or more points. Igor Milicic led the Vols in scoring as he finished the night with 18 points, which was the most of his young Tennessee career. 

It wasn't an easy first half for the Vols. Montana's Money Williams single-handedly kept the Grizzlies in the game while Tennessee battled foul trouble and turnover struggles. If Tennessee can find a way to clean up those two areas, they will have a chance to make a deep run in the postseason this year. 

Tennessee had 13 turnovers and 16 fouls against Montana, making both a theme for the Vols early in the season. Of course, there's plenty of time to clean up those two things before conference play, but it is a glaring issue early in the year. 

The Vols opened things up in the second half, doubling up the Grizzlies and outscoring them 52-26. Williams was dominant for Montana, but Tennessee was too deep for Williams and the company to hold them off for too long. 

Between Milicic, Zakai Zeigler, and Chaz Lanier, Tennessee could have a lethal big three on the roster. That doesn't include the potential of Felix Okpara, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, and others who can also light up the scoreboard on any given night. 

Transfer players look to put the Vols in a prime position to create some noise this year. Milicic, Lanier, and Okpara seem to be meshing well with long-time Vols like Zeigler and Mashack. Rick Barnes' culture, combined with bringing in the right guys for his program, has proven to be a perfect combination for the Vols basketball program. 

We're only two weeks into the college basketball season. Still, the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers look to have the potential to have a fun season this year—Tennessee tips off against Austin Peay next on November 17 at 3:00 PM ET.

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