No. 12 Tennessee tipped off the season with an 80-64 victory over Gardner-Webb on Monday night in Knoxville to officially start the year at 1-0 in the record books.
The Vols were led by their backcourt on Monday night as transfer guard Chaz Lanier and Jordan Gainey ended the game as Tennessee’s two leading scorers with 18 points and 16 points, respectively. Vols guard Zakai Zeigler added in 13 points while guard Jahmai Mashack put up 10 points to round out the Vols’ four double-digit scorers on the night.
It’s impossible not to notice all the new faces on the court for Tennessee with four transfers into the program and a number of young players receiving their opportunity this season. Cade Phillips, a then-freshman who Tennessee was high on during last year’s run despite not a lot of court time, put up seven points and four rebounds in 20 minutes on the court Monday. Head coach Rick Barnes noted an improvement from the first to second half for Phillips on Monday.
After the game, both head coaches met with the media as well as Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier and forward Cade Phillips.
More from RTI: Three Quick Takeaways As Tennessee Basketball Opens Season With Win Over Gardner-Webb
Check out all three interviews below:
Tennessee HC Rick Barnes
Gardner-Webb HC Jeremy Luther
Tennessee G Chaz Lanier & F Cade Phillips
