Three Quick Takeaways: Tennessee Survives Maryland Comeback Bid | Rocky Top Insider

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Tennessee earned a marquee non convention win Sunday afternoon, outlasting Maryland 56-53 on the Barclays Middle.

The Vols constructed a 21-point first half led and a 17-point halftime lead and managed to hold on for pricey life as Maryland ended the sport on an prolonged 24-11 run.

Right here’s three fast takeaways as Tennessee wins its eighth straight sport.

Tail Of Two Halves Defensively

Tennessee’s protection entered the highest 15 matchup with Maryland because the No. 1 workforce in KenPom adjusted defensive effectivity. Nevertheless, the Vols have been with out two of their high defenders: Josiah-Jordan James and Jonas Aidoo.

It was no drawback for Tennessee’s protection. Even undermanned, the Vols lived as much as their extraordinarily excessive defensive requirements.

It began within the first half when Tennessee completely shoot down the Terrapins. Maryland made simply three first half discipline targets and shot 13% from the sector with 10 turnovers on its option to tallying simply 17 factors within the first 20 minutes.

The primary half defensive dominance allowed Tennessee to open up a convincing first half lead. With out Aidoo, each Olivier Nkamhoua and freshman Tobe Awaka turned in robust defensive performances in opposition to a gifted Maryland entrance court docket.

Issues radically modified within the second half the place Maryland obtained almost something it needed on the offensive finish. The Maryland entrance court docket that was quiet within the first half dominated within the second, most notable Jahmir Younger who tallied 11 second half factors.

“Second half, they didn’t do loads completely different,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes stated. “They simply began working principally two units, and we weren’t doing a great job. A few of it was fatigue. We have been switching our protection and we weren’t sharp as we wanted to be. However you need to give them credit score. … They obtained going downhill. Clearly they shot the ball higher (within the second half).”

Maryland totaled 36 second half factors, capturing 50% from the sector— an entire 180 from the primary half that paved the best way for the Terps comeback.

“We performed actually strong protection within the first half, however they weren’t making that many photographs and we knew they’re a great three-point capturing workforce,” sophomore Zakai Zeigler stated. “We knew they’re actually good shooters and we knew within the second half, they have been going to come back out on hearth and keep strong and be ourselves.”

Extra From RTI: Tennessee Basketball Undermanned In opposition to Maryland

Tennessee Controls The Glass

Tennessee hasn’t been an excessively spectacular offensive rebounding workforce in recent times however the 2022-23 Vols are quietly growing into one of many higher offensive rebounding groups within the nation.

The rebounding success was clear from the leap when the Vols dominated the glass within the sport’s opening minutes on their option to 13 first half offensive rebounds. Tennessee ended the sport with 21 offensive rebounds largely because of the effort of Tobe Awaka.

“Whenever you’re lacking layups and miss photographs, you higher go get some,” Barnes stated.

The freshman ahead noticed a rise in minutes because of sophomore Jonas Aidoo’s absence with flu-like signs and made probably the most of his alternatives. If the New York native can do something on the basketball court docket it’s rebound the basketball. That a lot was obvious in opposition to Maryland the place Awaka totaled eight rebounds (5 offensive) to go together with seven factors.

Olivier Nkamhoua was spectacular on the glass as nicely, tallying 9 rebounds together with 5 on the offensive finish.

The Vols weren’t pretty much as good rebounding on the defensive finish however had success there too, out rebounding Maryland, 48-40.

Tennessee Holds Off Maryland Comeback Bid

Tennessee as soon as led by 21 factors within the first half earlier than taking a 17 level lead into the locker room. Maryland slowly chipped away on the Vols’ lead by way of the primary 10 minutes of the second half however Tennessee discovered solutions and nonetheless led by 16 with eleven-plus minutes to play.

That’s when the sport flipped on its head. Tennessee went on one among its patented scoring droughts whereas Maryland discovered its offensive rhythm. It led to a 12-0 and 17-3 prolonged Maryland run because the Terps pulled inside 5 with just below six minutes to play.

Maryland by no means took the lead however the sport was extremely contested with the texture that it may go both approach within the sport’s final 5 minutes.

Tennessee’s offense struggled all through the complete remaining 10 minutes however they discovered a option to get sufficient photographs to go— significantly from the perimeter. Tyreke Key, Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler all hit large triples down the stretch whereas the Vols obtained sufficient stops.

“That was an enormous play for him,” Barnes stated of Mashack’s shot. “A very massive play. Once more, we want him. Tyreke’s three was an enormous play.”

Tennessee didn’t make it straightforward on itself in any respect, lacking the entrance finish of a one-and-one and going one-of-two on the line within the sport’s remaining minute.

Nevertheless, Tennessee did sufficient to clang on and earn a high 15 victory.

“I’m happy with our guys,” Barnes stated. “It was a heck of a win. We knew it wasn’t going to be straightforward. And like I stated, we’re going to be in a bunch of them. Been in a bunch of them. Definitely in Atlantis. Would possibly as nicely get used to it. I believed the best way we dealt with it, obtained to be good with it.”

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Tennessee has 5 days off earlier than dealing with No. 10 Arizona in Tucson Saturday.