University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Hoops: 5 Quick Things
January 20, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Tennessee tips off a three-game homestand and plays only its second Saturday home game of the season when it faces Mississippi State (6 p.m. ET, SEC Network) tomorrow night.
1 | IT'S A MENTALITY
Following a disappointing loss at Ole Miss on Tuesday night in which the Vols surrendered a 13-point lead in the second half, a familiar refrain from players and coaches was that Tennessee was “out-toughed” in Oxford. Speaking to the media on Friday, Lew Evans said that diagnosis had been confirmed in a review of the game film, but the senior went on to say that being “out-toughed” had very little to do with the physical side of the game and everything to do with the Vols’ mentality entering the contest.
"I think we’re physically fit, it’s just the mindset, it’s the energy plays," Evans said. "Are we going to guard our man one-on-one? Are we going to get stops on the defensive end? Are we going to dive for loose balls? It’s totally a mindset. It’s not that we’re not physical enough. Our coaches do a great job with us, making sure we’re in shape. It’s a mentality. A competitive mentality to go out there and compete."
2 | 50 FOULS OVER TWO GAMES
Rick Barnes also discussed being "out-toughed" during his media session on Tuesday and offered an interesting thought as to how that issue could be related to the abundance of fouls the Vols have been whistled for over the last two games. After being called for 19 total fouls in the win at Vanderbilt, Tennessee committed 31 total fouls at Ole Miss, allowing the Rebels to shoot 42 free throws.
"I’ve always felt that the team that plays the hardest and the most aggressive gets the best whistle," said Barnes. "I’ve always believed that and I think it was true the other night. We’re going to have to figure out how to keep from fouling because we don’t have much margin to play with on the front line. But when the game’s stop-and-go we don’t get the rhythm that we want."
3 | SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State comes into Saturday’s game looking to get back on track after it suffered an 88-81 defeat at the hands of No. 5 Kentucky on Tuesday night. Prior to that loss, the Bulldogs had reeled off three straight SEC victories, claiming road wins over LSU and Arkansas before topping Texas A&M in Starkville. Those wins capped a stretch of six wins in seven games, which began in late December after MSU had suffered a 67-65 home loss to ETSU. Rick Barnes shared his assessment of Mississippi State’s elevated play over the last month:
"They’ve improved a lot since December. The last time I really watched a game of theirs before we started prepping for this week was East Tennessee State. They have improved so much and (head coach Ben Howland) has done a really good job of getting them to understand what they need to be doing right now. They’re playing well. They know what they’re looking for and they do a good job of executing their offense. It’s still early in this conference season but here in the next couple weeks there’s going to be some separation, obviously, but he’s done as good a job as anyone in the league."
4 | THE TURN UP
Redshirt freshman Lamonte Turner’s five assists at Ole Miss Tuesday matched his season-high. He now has nine games with four or more assists this season. Turner leads the Vols in assists per game (2.94 apg), and ranks fourth among all SEC freshmen. His 15-point performance in Oxford this week was his third consecutive game scoring in double figures, and Tennessee’s upcoming three-game homestand brings with it a welcome sight for Turner: the friendly rims of Thompson-Boling Arena. He averages 11.9 points at home this season and is shooting an impressive .432 from 3-point range in Thompson-Boling Arena (16-of-37).
5 | LIVE FROM ROCKY TOP, IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT
The best way to enjoy Tennessee basketball is to be a part of the action live at Thompson-Boling Arena. Saturday’s clash with Mississippi State (6:01 p.m. ET, SEC Network) is only the second time this season that UT has played at home on a Saturday—and the first time since a Dec. 3 victory over Georgia Tech. Saturday’s halftime entertainment is the Coulter Grove Unicycle troupe. The Volunteers’ baseball team also will be recognized during the halftime break. The baseball Vols start their season Feb. 17, with their home debut taking place March 3. The first 500 UT students through the gates Saturday receive a free pair of Power T Tech Gloves. And Tennessee students who stay for the entire game will receive a free bag of "Power T" gummies, courtesy of Nestle, as they exit the arena.
