Three Quick Takeaways: Tennessee Faces Adversity, Suffocates Arkansas | Rocky Top Insider

KNOXVILLE, Tn — In a season filled with poor harm look, the well being bug bit Tennessee once more within the opening minutes of its Senior Day matchup in opposition to Arkansas. Regardless of. With out its vitality chief, Tennessee created its personal vitality and suffocated Arkansas 75-57 at Thompson-Boling Enviornment.

Right here’s three fast takeaways on a formidable effort.

Zakai Zeigler Exits With Harm

I wrote about it with extra element right here however any story about this sport has to incorporate the horrific break that occurred simply 2:54 within the sport when Tennessee level guard Zakai Zeigler exited the sport with what gave the impression to be a left knee harm.

Zeigler is Tennessee’s solely true level guard and by far its greatest offensive creator. That’s all on high of being the vitality chief for the group with what he brings on the defensive finish each evening.

In opposition to a stout and bodily Arkansas protection, the harm set Tennessee again in a significant method. The harm’s impact was even larger as a result of unavailability of guard Tyreke Key. The senior isn’t a real level guard however performs the place when Zeigler is out of the sport.

However that put the burden on largely Santiago Vescovi, who has proved to be a a lot better participant when he can play with out the ball. Vescovi wasn’t implausible working the purpose however did sufficient to maintain Tennessee afloat, meting out 5 assists to a few turnovers whereas including 14 factors.

Even Jahmai Mashack, who hasn’t performed a second of level guard in his Tennessee profession, spent a while at level guard in opposition to the Razorbacks.

With Zeigler sidelined, Tennessee needed to lean on the nitty gritty method of scoring factors. It responded in very spectacular style.

The Future Delivers

Rick Barnes stated earlier this season that he sees sophomore guard Jahmai Mashack and freshman large man Tobe Awaka the way forward for this system in a number of methods.

The duo confirmed why Barnes believes that when the Vols’ most wanted them Tuesday evening. Mashack and Awaka are uncooked prospects however they each did what they do greatest in opposition to the Razorbacks.

For Mashack that was be a menace on the defensive finish of the court docket. The California native performed with unrelenting vitality and made life extraordinarily tough for Arkansas all evening. Mashack recorded 4 steals on the evening and whereas he wasn’t nice offensively, he bought to the road a handful of instances and totaled six factors.

Awaka rebounds. He additionally has good contact across the rim for a freshman whose sport continues to be very uncooked.

He did each in opposition to Arkansas, grabbing eight rebounds (5 on the offensive) and scoring seven factors.

When Zeigler went down it was clear Tennessee was going to need to win with vitality and difficult play. Mashack and Awaka each introduced an abundance of it.

Tennessee Wins With Protection, Rebounding

The Tennessee males’s basketball group took a web page out of the good Pat Summitt’s e-book Tuesday evening. The Vols beat Arkansas with protection and rebounding.

Let’s begin on the defensive finish the place Tennessee held the Razorbacks to 57 factors on a dismal .905 factors per possession. The Vols’ success began with their ball stress as they turned Arkansas, and its shaky backcourt, over 16times.

Maybe probably the most spectacular a part of Tennessee’s defensive efficiency was the truth that Arkansas — the SEC’s worst three-point capturing group — shot the ball nicely from the perimeter. Arkansas made eight-of-22 (36%) of its three-point makes an attempt and was satirically one of the best a part of its offense.

On the glass, Tennessee was tenacious and seemed prefer it needed it extra in opposition to what’s a great rebounding and intensely athletic Arkansas group. The Vols received the rebounding battle 35-32 and 10-9 on the offensive finish. Tennessee totaled 13 second probability factors whereas Arkansas mustered solely 4. These numbers severely evened out within the sport’s remaining minutes.

Dealing with adversity, Tennessee responded and dominated a strong opponent with defensive and rebounding. There’s little question about it, Pat Summitt would have been happy with the Vols’ effort.

Last Stats

Up Subsequent

Tennessee travels to the plains for its common season finale in opposition to Auburn Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. ET with ESPN broadcasting the sport.