Gonzaga vs. Tennessee: Storylines to watch in top-10 matchup

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts in the first half while taking on the Florida State Seminoles in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Is Tennessee prepared to face the nation’s No. 1 team?

It’s not too difficult to argue that no, Tennessee is not ready for Gonzaga. Having played a weak schedule thus far that includes just one relatively impressive win makes Tennessee an unproven group. Moreover, the Volunteers lost to its only ranked opponent.

The reality is, however, that Tennessee is absolutely ready to face Gonzaga. The Volunteers return virtually everything from a 26-9 team that earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Additionally, the Vols fell by just six points to then-No. 2 Kansas. The Jayhawks have loaded back and frontcourts, but several Volunteers were able to log fantastic games. Guards Admiral Schofield and Jordan Bone combined for 37 points and 12 rebounds; forward Grant Williams posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

As a group, however, Tennessee seemed lucky to lose by just six. Rick Barnes’ group shot 41 percent from the field and 26 percent from beyond the arc while Kansas shot 50 percent from the floor and nearly 30 percent from three-point territory.

I’m not one to judge based on one game only, but Tennessee’s starters definitely competed with perhaps the best starting five in the nation.

Tennessee matches up somewhat nicely with the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Grant Williams-Rui Hachimura and Admiral Schofield-Zach Norvell Jr. matchups will be incredibly entertaining. Both are their respective teams’ top two scorers. Tennessee also has the depth and talent off its bench to compete with Gonzaga for 40 minutes and actually averages more rebounds per game than the Bulldogs, who are very impressive on the glass.