Tennessee Basketball: 3 keys for the game against Memphis

3. Can the Vols keep Memphis off the offensive boards?

This game may be an uphill battle for Memphis, but one thing they do well is offensive rebound. The Tigers grab nearly 14 offensive boards per game, which is the 21st best number nationally, so the final factor for Tennessee in winning this game will be their ability to limit Memphis to one shot per possession.

Luckily for the Vols, they are an elite defensive rebounding team to go along with everything else they do at an elite level. Tennessee pulls down 30.5 defensive boards per game, which is 14th best in the country. As is the case with most top rebounding teams, it is a team effort with seven players pulling down more than three per game. Couple that with their 11th best 36.8% field goal percentage defense and holding the Tigers to one-and-done possessions is something Tennessee can accomplish.

Offensive rebounding is the one aspect of the game that Memphis can use to keep themselves in the game. But if Tennessee is successful in getting Davenport into foul trouble, Memphis will then have to rely on seniors Reynere Thornton and Mike Parks, Jr., as well as freshman Alex Lomax to keep them afloat on the offensive glass. As they are the only other Tigers to have pulled down more than 10 offensive rebounds this season.

Prediction: Tennessee by at least 15