Tennessee improved to 9-8 (2-3 SEC) in its third true road win of the season, a 87-75 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Here’s three observations from the statement victory:
A Tale of Two Teams
Tennessee made one 3-pointer in its loss to South Carolina on Wednesday.
Against the Commodores, the Vols were 8-of-15, led by Jordan Bone’s four from behind the arc.
The Vols were sloppy offensively against the Gamecocks. Tennessee gave the ball away 22 times and only had 10 assists. Against Vanderbilt, the assist to turnover ratio was 18-6. The Commodores only scored four points off Tennessee’s giveaways.
Tennessee navigated Vanderbilt’s zone with relative ease. The Vols were comfortable with the basketball and worked it into the paint easily. Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield and Lew Evans played the majority of the minutes inside for Tennessee. Williams was one rebound shy of a double-double, adding 12 points and four offensive boards in 33 minutes of action.
Starting sophomore forward Kyle Alexander logged just six minutes. Evans played 16 and Schofield played 23 minutes.
Nashville Native Jordan Bone Takes Over
Point guard play was also an issue for Tennessee against South Carolina. But Jordan Bone was the superstar of Tennessee’s win at Vandy.
Bone finished the night with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 4-of-5 from 3 and five assists.
Jordan Bone finds Robert Hubbs in flight! 25-20 #Vols pic.twitter.com/WswcRUQ47f
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 15, 2017
It's safe to say Nashville native Jordan Bone is enjoying his trip back home. The freshman PG has 16 to lead the Vols pic.twitter.com/PqtfXXZdbv
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 15, 2017
Every time the Commodores would try to make a run in the second half, Jordan Bone had the answer. The freshman point guard scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half. Nine of those points came in the first five minutes of the second half.
Bone didn’t miss a shot in the second half.
Jordan Bone again from downtown pic.twitter.com/1jInNXVd3I
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 15, 2017
Undersized Vols Out-Muscle Vandy
7-footer Luke Kornet about took over the game in the second half. But for the most part, Tennessee was more physical and more effective in the paint than the ‘Dores were.
Amazing strength from Grant Williams to get the ball and go up strong pic.twitter.com/8hzZOllswK
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 15, 2017
Tennessee outscored Vanderbilt 40-38 in the paint. Grant Williams had four blocks. Although rebounds were even at 26 apiece, UT had 15 second chance points to Vanderbilt’s eight.
The Vols had just six fast break points. Vanderbilt had two. This game was won in the halfcourt, which is exactly where Tennessee struggled against South Carolina.
Despite their physicality, the Vols didn’t attempt a free throw in the first half.
Final stats, highlighted by Jordan Bone’s epic homecoming to the mid-state pic.twitter.com/uIGzeKKEvt
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 15, 2017
