Grant Williams and Kyle Alexander

Vols beat Tigers, 84-61

Tennessee took care of business against an out-manned LSU team tonight in Thompson-Boling Arena, beating the Tigers 84-61.

James Daniel III picked up where he left off against Iowa State Saturday and this time led the way for the Vols, scoring 17 points and adding 4 assists and 2 steals. Grant Williams added 16 points, and Jordan Bone and Lamonte Turner each had 12.

The Vols defense once again clamped down on its opponent, as the only real threat for LSU this evening was 6’11” Duop Reath, who scored 21 points for the Tigers. Tennessee held LSU as a team to 39.3% shooting from the field and a woeful 15.8% from the arc. The Vols, on the other hand, hit 54.1% from the field and 48% from three. Oh, and they had 24 assists on 33 made shots.

The Vols move to 16-5 overall and 6-3 in the conference with the following games remaining:

  • Ole Miss;
  • at #21 Kentucky;
  • at Alabama;
  • South Carolina;
  • at Georgia;
  • #23 Florida;
  • at Ole Miss;
  • at Mississippi State; and
  • Georgia

You don’t want to get too carried away, and there are no easy games in the SEC, but Tennessee should have the advantage in most of those, save the one at Kentucky in Rupp and the one against Florida. We’ll see how it goes.

Next up is Ole Miss at 6:00 on Saturday.

Go Vols.

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Pete
Pete
6 years ago

It’s been a while since Tennessee basketball could play a sloppy game and still win by 20+. That game was closer than it should have been in the second half because of turnovers and poor transition defense. We pulled away with some hot shooting and more intensity late but that was an ugly, frustrating game for the most part.

We need to learn how to jump on lesser talented teams from the start, build a lead and hold it/extend. That game should not have been 6 points in the 2H.

HT
HT
6 years ago

Said it before and I’ll say it again: I love this team. They can certainly frustrate at times, but they are so easy to root for.

I also enjoyed being able to go straight from work to the game and be home by 8:30. I much prefer that to 9pm weeknight tips. I was disappointed to look at the remaining schedule and see that we only have two Saturday home games left, one of which I have a scheduling conflict.

HT
HT
6 years ago

I’ve seen a lot of that sentiment on social media and I’m just not feeling that myself. These guys are young and heartbreak is always possible, particularly in a one-and-done format, but I am looking at this whole season as gravy. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to enjoy the ride.

Gavin Driskill
Gavin Driskill
6 years ago
Reply to  HT

I think for basketball, particularly, it comes from the February struggles each of the last 3 years.

14-15: Started 12-5, ended 4-11
15-16: Started 11-11, ended 4-8
16-17: Started 13-9, ended 3-7

Obviously, this team is built in a much more sustainable way, but if you’re just a casual basketball fan, you might be holding back since the last 3 years have all fallen apart down the stretch.

Will Shelton
Admin
Will Shelton
6 years ago
Reply to  HT

Still carrying the burden of the television schedule of a team picked to finish 13th.