Tennessee lost its second SEC game of the year, 76-75, against Vanderbilt. The Vols have struggled on the road this year, and this was no different. The Vols have suffered their SEC loss in three road games so far this year.
Tennessee's loss was largely due to its terrible defense. The Vols came into the game with a size advantage, which should have benefited them, but it didn't.
Tennessee got punked in the paint and couldn't stop a smaller, less physical Vanderbilt squad around the rim. Vanderbilt shot 54% in the paint, which led to the Commodores dominating the second half and holding a double-digit lead for nearly the entire second half.
Vanderbilt's success in the paint opened the Commodores' three-point line in the second half. Vandy shot only eight for 21 from three-point range but shot five for ten on three-point shots made in the second half when Tennessee couldn't afford to give up shots on the perimeter.
The Vols' defense effectively was exposed against Vanderbilt, one week after Tennessee's offense and defense were exposed by Florida in a 30-point loss in the Swamp.
Tennessee also lost the rebound battle again. Vanderbilt outrebounded the Vols 29 to 25, which cannot happen against smaller lineups. Tennessee is going to have to dominate the boards and the paint if it wants to go on a deep run in March, which is something it is struggling with right now.
Rick Barnes will have to make some major defensive adjustments before Tennessee hosts Mississippi State for its midweek SEC matchup. Barnes is known for his dominant defense, but Tennessee showed nothing but that in its loss to Vanderbilt.