The Tennessee Vols improved their Quadrant 1 record to 8-3 with an impressive 71-54 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs last night in Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Volunteers were a little sloppier with the ball than usual, but they won decisively in both offensive and defensive effective field goal percentage, and they achieved an important stalemate on the offensive glass.
Effective Field Goal Percentage
We noted in our four-factors preview of this game that both teams were highly-ranked in effective field goal percentage but that Tennessee’s defense would likely have more of an impact on the Bulldogs’ offense than vice versa.
Both teams shot about the same percentage from three (Tennessee 26.1% on 6-23; Mississippi State 25% on 4-16), but the Vols dominated from the field. While shooting 26-61 for 42.6%, Tennessee held the Bulldogs to 19-57 for 33.3%. Tennessee’s season average from the field is 50%, while Mississippi State’s is 46.9%, so the Vols were a little off on offense themselves but did extremely well on defense. They’re now 21st in both offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
It was a strong showing in the shooting and shooting defense departments last night for the good guys.
Turnover Percentage
As we expected, Tennessee did get plenty of freebies courtesy of a generous Mississippi State squad, but the Vols were pretty sloppy protecting the ball themselves last night, and it was mostly their own fault.
The Bulldogs gave up 15 turnovers, slightly more than their average of 13.4, but the Vols were all too happy to return the favor. They gave up 17 turnovers, significantly more than their average of 11.2.
It wasn’t the best night for Tennessee in this category, but it didn’t matter.
Offensive Rebounding Percentage
It seems to be a recurring theme that opponents have an advantage on paper over the Vols in offensive rebounding, but that Tennessee makes sure it doesn’t happen when the game is played. The Bulldogs are a really good offensive rebounding team (No. 23 in KenPom), and Tennessee’s season-long numbers at preventing teams from racking up the o-boards are terrible (they’re No. 248).
And yet, the rebounding game last night was essentially a stalemate. The Bulldogs had only one more offensive rebound than Tennessee (16-15), and the Vols had 29 defensive boards to Mississippi State’s 24.
Turning a disadvantage in this category into a stalemate should be considered a resounding victory for the Vols.
Free Throw Rate
The numbers suggested an even contest in this category with both teams getting essentially their season averages for trips to the line. Tennessee shot 22 free attempts (slightly above their average of 20.55), while the Bulldogs shot 17 (slightly below their average of 19.21).
Call this a win for the Volunteers, although it didn’t really appear to be much of a factor either way.
Tennessee’s recent renewed focus on shooting and defense has been paying dividends lately, and both were key to the dominating victory on Senior Night.