Tennessee Basketball: Takeaways from Lenoir-Rhyne exhibition matchup

Defense is priority No.1

Last season Coach Barnes had the Vols put up some impressive stats in important categories. Not only were the Vols No.26 in forcing opponent turnovers, but they were also No.19 in opponents’ field goal percentage and surrendered the twenty-second least amount of points in the nation. This season Coach Barnes will be demanding the same intensity on defense.

Granted the offensive ability of Lenoir-Rhyne, who averaged 12 turnovers per Division II game, is not the caliber of Kentucky and Alabama, but the Vols were extremely aggressive on the defensive end. If Coach Barnes was not intending to have similar defensive philosophy throughout the season, it would have been a futile exercise to implement it just to ensure a victory over Lenoir-Rhyne.

Due to the roster make-up, defending the post is going to be the Vols’ biggest issue as their post defenders are either no good or have no experience. In order to ensure the ball gets into their defensive paint on as few possessions as possible, the Vols will be extending their defensive pressure beyond the three-point arc.  As the pressure they will switch on every screen- regardless of the defenders – to minimize the damage caused by a mismatch, they will trap on the wings as they jump the passing lanes looking to turn steals into points.

All of this comes at a cost as the constant ball pressure will surrender some open three-point shots on the help side as their rotation is not always quick enough. This may make the Vols vulnerable to a three-point shooting team, but, giving up a far shot is always better than giving up a close one.