The Vols’ offense propels them to a 10-point win over Texas A&M
Tennessee used lessons learned at the end of the loss to Texas to ignite the Volunteer offense vs. the Aggies.
KNOXVILLE, TN - February 01, 2022 - Guard Kennedy Chandler #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Emma Andrus/Tennessee Athletics
After falling to Texas 52-51 on a poor shooting performance, Tennessee needed to bounce back offensively in its next appearance.
The No. 22 Vols (15-6, 6-3 SEC) did just that in their 90-80 win over Texas A&M (15-7, 4-5 SEC). Tennessee shot a blistering 50.9% on field goals and 42.3% from three en route to its highest offensive output in SEC play on the season.
Tennessee’s offensive turnaround is being credited to the final minutes of the loss to the Longhorns. After scoring just 30 points in the first 30 minutes, Tennessee scored 21 in the final 10 against Texas.
“I feel like we found our groove the last six to seven minutes of that Texas game,” said Josiah-Jordan James. “We just tried to learn from what we did in that short period of time at Texas. Just tried to put it on display today.”
This newfound confidence translated into two 40+ point halves. Tennessee also collected 22 assists. This aided the Vols in reaching an astonishing 75.9% of made baskets.
Leading the game in assists was freshman Kennedy Chandler. Chandler finished the game with seven assists to go along with his team-high 16 points.
Following Chandler were fellow guards Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler with five and three assists respectively. The trio of guards’ ball movement made it tough for Texas A&M defenders to keep up.
“That’s when we’re at our best, when the ball doesn’t stick,” said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. “We’re really moving the ball, getting it from side to side, getting movement. It’s hard to guard.”
This ball movement also resulted in a big scoring night from five Volunteer players. Chandler, Vescovi, Zeigler, James and Olivier Nkamhoua combined for 72 of Tennessee’s points.
These players were key pieces of big runs by the Vols that stretched the lead. After Texas A&M tied the game early in the first half, an 11-0 run gave Tennessee an early 11 point advantage that the Vols never surrendered.
In the second half, the Aggies were able to pull within a single point, but Tennessee went on a 16-2 run to take a strong grip on the game. These runs kept Texas A&M at bay during times when the Aggie offense heated up.
Tennessee will need this offense to travel as well as their defense as they look at a two-game road trip in the coming week. First, they will take on South Carolina on Saturday with the hope of extending their SEC win streak to five straight victories. The game will tip-off at 1 p.m. and air on CBS.
Photo Courtesy of Emma Andrus of Tennessee Athletics
Ryan Sylvia is the Sports Editor at TNJN. He is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in journalism and electronic media. Although he spent most of his life being raised outside of Philadelphia, he was born in Knoxville, and he is happy to be back home. Ryan has had a love for sports from an early age, and he found his love for writing in high school while taking journalism classes. He hopes to find a job involving both his passions as a sports journalist after graduation. To reach Ryan, email him at rsylvia@vols.utk.edu
