Ready or not, it really is basketball time in Tennessee.
The Volunteers opened with what looked like two games at Thompson-Boling Arena Monday night. It was really just very different halves. The home team won both. The combined product was a show of speed and hot-and-cold firepower, a 75-43 victory over Tennessee Tech.
The format was bombs away, shoot if open, no matter how far away is the goal. Exhibit 1 was nine consecutive misses.
In the first half, the Vols launched 21 three-pointers and hit four, a not-so-hot 19 per cent. They hit five of eight from elsewhere on the floor. Tech was worse – one of nine from outside.
Rick Barnes never lost his poise.
“I really thought we played hard defensively. On the offensive end, we’re going to shoot the ball. We’ve worked too hard not to do that. I’m not sure we had many that were what I would call a bad shot.”
Just as the first half ended, Barnes came forth with a very pertinent idea: “We need to make a shot.”
After intermission, the Vols did much better on long shots – 10 of 23.
Barnes undoubtedly said something else during the rest stop. What he said he said was “We’re going to shoot open shots.”
The coach was somewhat happy with the net result, three quotes to four. He praised the crowd of almost 18,000 “great fans.” He mentioned first-half defense and team energy. He said the Vols didn’t get enough rebounds. He said they fouled too much. He said there were too many turnovers (15). Tech had 22.
Tyreke Key, graduate transfer from Indiana State (bachelor and master’s degrees), was a bright light. He led all scorers with 17. He hit half his two and three-point attempts and all three free throws, got four rebounds, had three steals and one assist.
At first glance, it appears he knows how to play basketball.
Santiago Vescovi, who for sure knows, had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.
All-star freshman Julian Phillips didn’t shoot well but produced eight points, six rebounds and three assists. He played defense seldom seen from five-star rookies.
Zakal Zeigler was almost his perky, pesky self. Alas, he was two for 12 on three-point shots.
There were two very pleasant surprises.
Josiah-Jordan James wasn’t in the starting lineup but checked in at the first timeout. He played 18 minutes and contributed eight points, four rebounds and defensive leadership. He was sidelined for months for knee repairs and rehab and didn’t play in either practice game.
B.J. Edwards, highly regarded recruit from Catholic High, won a gold star for efficiency. He came in with three minutes to go, hit a two and a three and blocked a shot. The crowd cheered.
The game was never close. Tennessee opened with defensive passion. Tennessee Tech was allowed a field goal after 8:39. The Golden Eagles were held to 18% shooting in the first half. Nine turnovers were part of the problem.
The Vols led by 27-16 at the rest stop. The difference ballooned to 53-28 early in the second half.
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Tennessee plays Colorado in Nashville on Sunday afternoon in almost direct competition with the Tennessee Titans. Barnes said the Vols are counting on their “great fans” putting some orange inside Bridgestone Arena.
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Tennessee and 6-5 D.J. Jefferson of Richardson, Texas, and Minnesota Prep Academy have decided this will be a red-shirt season.
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Tennessee and Tennessee Tech have played 28 times through the years. The record is 27-1. The Golden Eagles won in 1996.
Marvin West welcomes reader comments or questions. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com