University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Hoops: 5 Quick Things
October 05, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Tennessee Basketball held its fifth official preseason practice on Wednesday, putting in a two-hour session at Pratt Pavilion. Here are five things you should know about the Vols as they near their first full week of workouts:
1 | All In The Details
Head coach Rick Barnes and the rest of the Tennessee coaching staff opened official practice with an emphasis on sharpening the details of winning basketball. Whether on the court or in the film room, the UT coaches have harped on basic offensive habits like footwork in the post or in triple-threat situations, catch-and-see and effective floor spacing. Additionally, with college rule changes implemented to increase pace and freedom of movement, playing sound, fundamental defense will be crucial toward maximizing minutes and avoiding foul trouble. With that in mind, during all live 5-on-5 work, each assistant coach has specific defensive areas of focus in which he is responsible for holding players accountable, watching specifically for things such as lateral quickness and active feet.
2 | Point Guard Clinic
Forwards Admiral Schofield and Lew Evans--physical post players who stand 6-4 and 6-7, respectively--likely aren't among the players Tennessee fans would expect to see bringing the ball up the floor. But both of them, along with more than half of the Vols' roster, have worked on that skill during the first week of preseason practice. Select frontcourt players, and all of UT's perimeter players, have been learning the point guard position in 5-on-5 action when the team is working on its up-tempo or transition offense. The goal of doing so is that any player who grabs a defensive rebound could bring the ball up the floor and get the team into its offense. Barnes and his staff have been analyzing practice video to see which Vols best exhibit the ability to make the right reads and demonstrate the proper footwork.
3 | Schofield Focused on the Glass
Tennessee's leading rebounder from a season ago is sophomore forward Admiral Schofield, who averaged 4.0 rpg in his debut campaign. Head coach Rick Barnes hopes to see Schofield's production on the boards increase significantly this year. "We think he should be a great rebounder for us," Barnes said during his press conference Monday. "He's a guy who's willing to do the dirty work. He works hard. Admiral is an extremely hard worker." Schofield totaled eight or more rebounds 10 times against SEC opposition last season but never cracked double digits. But his newfound commitment to crash the glass, along with his knack for scoring--both in the paint and along the perimeter--Schofield could develop into a regular double-double threat for the Vols.
4 | Winning is a Habit
Tennessee's roster features six players who won at least one state championship during their respective high school careers. And those six Vols combine to boast a total of eight state championship rings. Freshmen Josh Bone and Jalen Johnson each won a pair of state championships during their prep careers. Vols with a single state title under their belt are: Lew Evans, Kwe Parker, Shembari Phillips and Grant Williams. Robert Hubbs III and Lamonté Turner each played in at least one state championship game during their prep career, but neither player's team captured a title.
5 | In The Weight Room
Strength and conditioning coach Garrett Medenwald put the Vols through another productive off-season of elite performance training. Medenwald singled out senior Robert Hubbs III as a leader who stepped up as an outstanding communicator throughout the summer and early fall and displayed a willingness to hold his teammates accountable. Medenwald also reported that freshman point guard Jordan Bone has gained 17 pounds since enrolling in June. Bone's added mass has in no way, however, inhibited his speed or explosiveness on the court.
