Despite Final Sequence, Julian Phillips Continues Growth

Forward Julian Phillips had a tough closing moment, but the Tennessee freshman displayed encouraging growth.

Julian Phillips has been a standout freshman nationally this season. Time after time, he has put in unreal defensive efforts and has been a great fit in Tennessee's system all season. Last night, a late-game mistake by Phillips might have cost Tennessee a win in Nashville, but outside of that, it was a really good night for Phillips and his freshman teammate Tobe Awaka.

The situation was an interesting one. Tennessee had the ball late in the game up two points, and due to the lack of fouls called in the second half, Vanderbilt had to foul four times just to get the Vols to the line. Phillips had a breakaway dunk with around 15 seconds to go but chose to take the foul instead, knowing that Vanderbilt still had to use three more. Should he have taken the dunk? Absolutely. However, Phillips and Awaka showed a lot of promise last night that Tennessee fans should be excited for down the stretch.

Phillips and Awaka combined for 18 points last night but impacted the game in more ways than just scoring. Phillips was especially good, as the team had a 154 offensive rating when he was on the floor. Awaka was lower at 119, but he snagged a team-high nine rebounds.

It's brutal that Phillips didn't score. No one is going to beat around the bush with that one. Rick Barnes even said in the postgame that Phillips' dunk cost them the game and that he told him that he should take the shot when he has a 100% chance of making it. Many things cost the Vols the game, and Phillip's dunk was one of them, but it is a teachable moment and, hopefully, an experience that will prepare him for the more important games shortly.

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