Tennessee took control early in Sunday’s game against ETSU and didn’t look back, coasting to a 94-62win.
Here are three takeaways.
Enjoy Kennedy Chandler While You Can
Rick Barnes has signed five five-stars in his time at Tennessee. Kennedy Chandler stands above the rest. The No. 1 prep point guard in the country signed with UT over Duke, Memphis, Kentucky and North Carolina and through two games he’s lived up to the hype, and more.
Chandler was magnificent against ETSU scoring 16 points while adding six assists and five rebounds.
The quick point guard took control of the game early and dominated the Bucs in the first half. Chandler had all 16 points on an incredibly efficient six-of-eight shooting in the first half. ETSU had 23 first half points. Only one other person on either team had double digit first half points.
While the freshman didn’t score in the second half, he only played nine minutes, shot once and added three assists.
Chandler makes so many plays that leave you with your jaw on the floor. Like when he makes something out of nothing, drilling a three-pointer to save an inefficient possession. Or when he drives past his man, around the help for a spectacular finish.
are you serious KC??
📺 @SECNetwork
📲https://t.co/53LhlpQXj9 pic.twitter.com/pInzsBgIIw— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) November 14, 2021
It’s just two games into the season and Tennessee has only played instate mid major programs, but he has the looks of one of the best basketball players at UT in the last 20 years. He’s truly special and he won’t be in Knoxville long.
He’s going to play basketball for Tennessee for a year and then in the NBA for a long time. Enjoy him while he’s here Vol fans.
Defense Tightens Up
Rick Barnes was very displeased with his team’s defensive performance in the season opening win over UT-Martin. In fact, it was about all Barnes wanted to talk about postgame and during his media availability leading into the ETSU game.
The Vols were much improved in that area Sunday, holding ETSU to 62 points on 34% shooting from the field.
Like the season opener against UT-Martin, Tennessee’s defense struggled a bit at the jump. The Bucs scored 11 points in the game’s first 4:19 but from there it was all tough sledding.
The Bucs didn’t score in the games next 4:11 and only scored 12 points the rest of the half. In fact, ETSU made just four baskets in the half’s final 15 minutes.
ETSU had more offensive success in the second half but it was still much of the same. Tennessee held the Bucs to 24% shooting from the field and 25% from three-point range in the second half. Eight of ETSU’s 39 second half points came in the game’s final 39 seconds.
A large part of Tennessee’s defensive success can be attributed to its active hands. The Vols recorded four blocks and 14 steals.
Most of the steals came with Tennessee guards having active help side defense and strong strips on Bucs’ post players.
Vols Settle Down On Three Point Attempts
Rick Barnes has made it clear that he has no problem with shooting 40 three-pointers a game. That’s what they’ve done in all of their scrimmages and in the season opening win against UT-Martin.
Barnes has also been quick to point out that they likely wouldn’t keep shooting that much due to teams playing them differently on defense.
That was the case Sunday when former Barnes’ assistant Des Oliver brought ETSU to Knoxville.
There was a clear emphasis from ETSU to guard the three-point line, particularly early when Tennessee took just four in the game’s first eight minutes.
In total, the Vols made 10-of-23 three point attempts. That’s once again a really efficient rate and the game showed why Tennessee can be a really good three point shooting team.
Santiago Vescovi — Tennessee’s best shooter the last two seasons — had a poor shooting game, making just one-of-seven attempts from deep. That was no problem for Tennessee.
Justin Powell made three-of-four attempts from deep, Chandler made two-of-three and Olivier Nkamhoua — who was fantastic in the win — made both of his attempts.
Tennessee capitalized on ETSU’s focus on defending the three-point line making 24-of-51 (47%) of attempts from inside the arc.
