Tennessee cruised to a 70-47 win over Radford, but the final score didn’t tell the entire story.
The Vols continued to struggle offensively for the second straight game. Miles Rubin provided a bright spot with his two-way performance, while a decisive 16-0 second-half run helped Tennessee pull away. However, with tougher competition approaching, the Vols will need to improve their offensive execution.
Here are three takeaways from the Vols’ win over Radford.
Offensive Obstacles
Tennessee’s offensive inconsistency continued against Radford. The Vols were lackadaisical in the first half against Wofford before finding their rhythm after halftime. The same offensive issues resurfaced against the Highlanders.
Tennessee opened the game 3-for-13 and struggled with its ball movement. Head coach Rick Barnes prefers an inside-out style of play, but the Vols strayed from that approach. Tennessee’s first four shots came from behind the arc. By settling for perimeter shots early, the Vols failed to establish an interior presence and create easier scoring opportunities.
Tennessee also struggled to protect the basketball, finishing the first half with seven turnovers. Most were dead-ball turnovers, but they still reflected the Vols’ struggles with basic execution. One example came with 2:51 left in the first half, when DeWayne Brown found Jalen Haralson cutting to the basket but couldn’t complete the pass, sending the ball into the first row.
Tennessee needs to clean up its offensive execution if it hopes to contend in the SEC this season.
Miles Makes His Mark
Miles Rubin built on his solid performance against Belmont with another strong outing against Radford. The senior finished with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
When Tennessee worked the ball inside, it produced positive results, particularly for Rubin. One of the Vols’ best offensive sequences came with 6:35 left in the first half. Tennessee ran a Spain pick-and-roll, and a Terrence Hill screen freed Rubin for a slam.
Rubin made his presence felt on the defensive end, too. In the second half, he recorded back-to-back blocks on Cameron Jackson during a post-up sequence. Rubin finished with three blocks and now has 241 in his career, the most among active NCAA Division I players.
Rubin gives Tennessee another offensive dimension, particularly when the guards struggle to find their rhythm. His ability to finish around the basket provides the Vols with a reliable interior option as they get deeper into the season.
Depth and Defense
Tennessee’s depth eventually proved too much for Radford. The Vols went on a 16-0 run midway through the game, turning a 10-point lead into a 26-point advantage.
Defense fueled the surge. Tennessee forced the Highlanders into difficult shots, holding them to 0-for-12 shooting during the run. The defensive stops also created opportunities on the other end. Terrence Hill provided one example when he beat his defender off the dribble and finished a right-handed layup to give Tennessee a 60-36 lead.
The Vols also made a concerted effort to attack the basket. Tennessee attempted only two 3-pointers during the run, with eight of its 16 points coming in the paint. Five different Vols scored during the spurt, highlighting the team’s ability to generate offense from multiple players.
Tennessee’s talent and depth can overwhelm teams like Radford, but the Vols will need more consistent execution when the schedule gets tougher. One more buy game against Tennessee State gives them another opportunity to sharpen their offense before facing a more challenging stretch.
