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Tennessee Basketball: 2018-19 keys for the Vols at Kentucky

By Tristan Freeman

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate on the bench during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 29, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 96-53. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate on the bench during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 29, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 96-53. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

3. Schofield and Williams combines for 30+ points

The two All-SEC players are having the kind of seasons, you’d expect them to have. Combined, the duo is producing 37.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg and 6.0 apg. Williams is a strong bet to repeat as SEC Player of the Year, putting up nearly 20 a night, on 58% shooting from the field.

They showed up in the two biggest games of the year, combining to put up 39 points against Kansas and 46 (Schofield had 30 himself) in the win over Gonzaga. When these two have a good night at the same time, Tennessee is almost impossible to beat.

They proved that last season against Kentucky, going for 38 points together in the home win over the Wildcats. Williams struggled in the road game going 1/3 from the field but did make eight free throws. But even if the offense wasn’t going, both he and Schofield shut down the opposing Kentucky players on the defensive end.

The premiere individual matchup in this game will be Schofield vs. Keldon Johnson, a 6’6 forward for Kentucky that is the team’s best all-around player. He’s averaging 14.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg while shooting 40% from three-point range. He’s a physical player who can guard multiple positions. Johnson has a very similar game to Schofield so it’ll be interesting to watch them deal with each other for 40 minutes.

Next. SEC Power Rankings. dark

Schofield has had big performances on the biggest stages in his career and the senior will want another win in Rupp Arena on his resume. If he and Williams has another efficient night from the field together, it’s hard to imagine Kentucky having enough to win this game. Someone on the Vols will have to have a rough night – hard to tell who can/will from this team.

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