Big Second Half Propels Tennessee Over Well-Coached Wofford

First half at slow paced allowed Wofford to hang around against Tennessee

A couple weeks ago, it would've been unthinkable that Tennessee, a team that was 288th in adjusted tempo last season, wouldn't want to play a slow-paced game. That's the position the Vols were in on Tuesday when Wofford came to Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee knocked off the Terriers by a final score of 82-61 after Wofford was able to hang around in the first half and a little in the second half.

In the first 20 minutes, Tennessee only got 29 possessions and despite scoring 1.241 points per possession, only led by 5 at the break. Wofford was able to get into their half-court offense, and while they made some tough shots, they played their game and executed well.

The second half was a much different story. Tennessee was able to speed the game up a little bit and because of it, the offense was better, the defense was better and the Vols cleaned up a lot of their mistakes from the first half.

Specifically, they did a much better job being aggressive. In the first half, Tennessee only shot 4 free throws vs. 19 in the second half. We know that this team is a much better shooting team than a season ago. While they are an improved shooting team, they don't have to make it their offensive identity.

To add to the good feeling that was the second half, Josiah-Jordan James scored his 1,000th point in a Tennessee uniform. That was a special moment for a guy that opted to come back to Tennessee for a 5th season.

For the third straight game, Dalton Knecht led the team in scoring. Knecht finished with 18 points and Jordan Gainey added 16 points. 

Should also be noted that Freddie Dilione left the game and didn't return with a leg injury according to the broadcast team.

Santiago Vescovi looked closer to the Santi of last year tonight. Vescovi finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists and hit 3 threes. It's going to be really interesting to see as the year progresses what Vescovi and Zeigler's roles on this team are compared to last season. Zeigler isn't even starting yet and both of their usage rates are going to be lower, but Tennessee not having to rely on them as much is a sign that this team is more balanced and complete than it was a year ago.

What to work on

Rebounding is still a key issue. Specifically, offensive rebounding on both ends. Both Tennessee and Wofford finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. Tennessee should not be allowing 15 offensive rebounds to Wofford, nor should they be even with a team like Wofford on the offensive glass.

It is early in the season and trying things in the Maui Invitational is probably not a place to try things, but Tobe Awaka might need more minutes eventually. Yeah, you lose rim protection with Aidoo, but Awaka is the best offensive rebounder they have and is a very good defensive rebounder too.

This team now has 5 days to get right whatever they think they need to fix. Unless the wheels fall off and they wind up playing Chaminade, there's a legitimate chance that Tennessee goes to Honolulu and plays 3 quad 1 games in 3 days. I don't think the tournament will be the best evaluator of who the best team is, but it certainly will show where Tennessee is at from a depth perspective.

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