Tennessee is headed back to the Elite Eight for the third straight season after a 76-62 win over Iowa State.
The Vols used their size to punish Iowa State’s ball-screen pressure, with Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara making key plays around the basket. On the other end, Tennessee also took away one of the Cyclones’ top offensive weapons in Milan Momcilovic.
Here are three takeaways from the Vols’ Sweet 16 win.
Power in the Paint
Tennessee’s big men controlled the game against Iowa State, with Felix Okpara and Jaylen Carey making their biggest impact around the basket. The Vols finished with 42 points in the paint and 14 second-chance points, an edge that helped Tennessee dictate the style of play from the start.
Okpara scored on duck-ins, putbacks and baseline finishes while consistently creating extra possessions on the offensive glass. Carey was active there as well, and he supplied a highlight when he came up with a 50-50 steal on a baseline out-of-bounds play and took it the other way for a dunk. In the second half, Carey also helped Tennessee extend its lead to 56-43 when he grabbed an offensive rebound, converted a left-handed layup and drew the foul.
Okpara finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Carey added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
That interior edge was especially important against an Iowa State team that has been vulnerable in rebound and scramble situations. The Cyclones allow 1.14 points per possession on those chances.
The Vols’ frontcourt influence was not limited to offense. Okpara anchored Tennessee defensively with his ability to switch onto guards, recover as a weak-side shot blocker and protect the rim. Iowa State finished 20.5 points below its season average, and Okpara totaled three blocks.
Turnovers Threaten Tennessee
Tennessee’s turnover issues showed up again against Iowa State, a problem that has lingered for much of the season. The Vols entered the NCAA Tournament game ranked second-to-last in the SEC in turnover percentage, and that weakness kept Iowa State within striking distance early.
Tennessee turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 14 Iowa State points. The Vols were able to impose their game plan for stretches of the first half, but the giveaways prevented them from fully taking control.
Iowa State’s pressure contributed to some of those mistakes. The Cyclones doubled ball screens on multiple possessions, forcing Tennessee to make quick decisions. At times, the Vols handled it well, as they did when Ja’Kobi Gillespie fired the ball out of a double team to Nate Ament for a layup with 4:22 left in the first half. Other times, the pressure led to empty possessions, including a Gillespie turnover that turned into a Tamin Lipsey fast-break layup with about a minute remaining before halftime.
That was especially costly against an Iowa State team that ranks among the nation’s best at forcing turnovers, and Tennessee played into that pressure too often in the first half.
Boswell Bottles Up Momcilovic
Milan Momcilovic entered the Sweet 16 averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 49.3% from 3-point range. Against Tennessee, those numbers looked nothing like his usual production.
Rick Barnes and his staff had a clear plan for the Iowa State forward: face-guard Momcilovic and make the rest of the Cyclones beat them. Bishop Boswell drew much of that assignment and made him work for every touch.
Despite giving up four inches, Boswell helped hold Momcilovic to 2-of-8 shooting from 3-point range and six points. Boswell showed his value as an on-ball defender on back-to-back possessions midway through the second half. First, he stayed attached to Momcilovic and forced a contested jumper from the free-throw line that came up short. On the next Iowa State possession, he stayed with him again and forced a contested 3-point attempt.
Taking Momcilovic out of rhythm was a major reason Tennessee was able to keep Iowa State from finding consistent offense on the perimeter.
Tennessee capped off a strong performance and will head into a matchup with No. 1-seeded Michigan on Sunday.
