Tennessee Volunteers
SEC (25-8, 13-5)
Coach Rick Barnes has turned the Tennessee program around after just three years. Following a losing season two years ago and a .500 record last year, the Volunteers have made a big jump towards the top of the SEC. This is not a flashy team, but they have been consistent. With some emerging young talent, Tennessee has the tools to win a few games in this NCAA Tournament and set themselves up for higher expectations next season.
Big Wins: 11/22 vs Purdue (78-75), 1/13 Texas A&M (75-62), 2/6 at Kentucky (61-59)
Bad Losses: 12/30 at Arkansas (93-95), 2/10 at Alabama (50-78), 2/17 at Georgia (62-73)
Coach: Rick Barnes
Why They Can Surprise:
Forwards Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield are the leaders of this team. Williams, a 6-7 sophomore, is a very talented all-around player. On the year he is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 blocks. He can do a bit of everything and opens up space for the shooters on the perimeter with his ability to score in the paint. Scholfield is one of those shooters. The undersized 6-5 forward connects on 39.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and averages 13.8 points per game. On the perimeter, sophomores Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden are the top scorers, while Jordan Bone and Howard transfer James Daniel III create offense from the point.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Kyle Alexander, a 6-11 junior, is a presence on the defensive end and a decent rebounder, but the Volunteers often struggle in the rebounding department. There is not a ton of depth in the paint so when Williams or Alexander need a break, this team plays quite small. And foul trouble is often an issue for the frontcourt as well and without much depth, that could become a huge problem during the NCAA Tournament. The Volunteers can compete with a big, strong frontcourt for a while, but a deep frontcourt could wear down Tennessee over the course of 40 minutes.
Probable Starters:
Jordan Bone, Sophomore, Guard, 7.3 ppg, 3.6 apg
Jordan Bowden, Sophomore, Guard, 9.3 ppg, 1.8 apg, 3.5 rpg
Admiral Schofield, Junior, Forward, 13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Grant Williams, Sophomore, Forward, 15.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Kyle Alexander, Junior, Forward, 5.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Key Role Players:
James Daniel III, Senior, Guard, 5.8 ppg, 2.9 apg
Lamonte Turner, Sophomore, Guard, 10.7 ppg, 2.1 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.4 (164th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.3 (35, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (210, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.9 (29, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.8 (161, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.1 (51, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.8 (38, 2)
Rebound Margin: 1.3 (152, 8)
Assists Per Game: 16.0 (38, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.2 (105, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Opening Round win over Iowa
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Massachusetts
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Mercer
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan
2013 NIT First Round loss to Mercer
2012 NIT First Round win over Savannah State
2012 NIT Second Round loss to Middle Tennessee
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over San Diego State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Ohio
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Ohio State
2010 NCAA Regional Final loss to Michigan State
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Oklahoma
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over American University
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Butler
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Louisville
*all team stats through 3/4
