Tennessee Basketball: 3 takeaways from Vols opening win over Colorado

A delay to the season’s start has prolonged our chances to see the exciting Tennessee Basketball team take the court.

Dusting off the cobwebs, Tennessee Basketball managed a 9-point win, 56-47, over the visiting Colorado Buffaloes to kickstart the 2020 campaign. Senior forward John Fulkerson and sophomore guard Santiago Vescovi scored 11 points apiece to help push them over the top. The opening 10-minute outburst resulted in a 23-9 lead for the home team and was very characteristic of a program raring to go.

Rick Barnes squad played with a ton of intensity on both ends of the floor and forced 23 turnovers, including 12 steals, versus a very experienced Buffaloes group. They hounded shooters and held Colorado to 33.3% from the floor and 22.7% from the perimeter.

A surprising decision at the beginning of the contest resulted in neither 5-star guard Keon Johnson or Jaden Springer being placed in the starting lineup. The decision was likely a direct result of the early-season cancellations, as well as the quality and experience of the Vols‘ first opponent. However, the expected star duo managed to stay busy in the box score with a combined 10 points, two rebounds, and two steals on 4-6 shooting.

While their presence in the starting lineup and ability to take over the mantle on this year’s team will wait until later in the season, there are several promising areas for the Tennessee program moving forward.