PHILADELPHIA, PA. -Tennessee made an early adjustment that changed the game and helped carry the Vols to a 78-56 win over Miami.
The Vols slid Nate Ament to the four, a move that sparked their defense and helped set the tone. Combined with Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s all-around offensive performance, it was enough to outmatch the RedHawks and send Tennessee into the next round.
Here are three takeaways from Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament win.
Barnes’ Timely Tweak Turned The Tide
Rick Barnes made a savvy move to spark Tennessee’s defense with 14:30 left in the first half. The game was tied at 13 when the Vols subbed out Felix Okpara and brought in Nate Ament, sliding him to the four. The move changed the trajectory of the game, and Tennessee followed with an 11-2 run.
Ament traditionally plays on the wing, but Tennessee used him at the four to get more mobility on the floor. After Miami opened 3 of 4 from 3-point range, stretching Tennessee’s defense and pulling its big men away from the basket, the Vols held the RedHawks to 1 of 10 from deep the rest of the half.
Barnes eventually went back to a bigger lineup, but Tennessee was more engaged defensively and did a better job following the scouting report, running Miami off the arc and forcing contested 3s.
Gillespie’s Big Game Boosted The Vols
Ja’Kobi Gillespie was electric in his first NCAA Tournament game in the Orange and White, giving Tennessee a needed spark on offense throughout the game.
The senior point guard scored 29 points, including 18 from 3-point range on 6-of-11 shooting. He created offense late in the shot clock, knocked down shots against late closeouts and took advantage of driving lanes when Miami extended its defense on the perimeter. While Gillespie did plenty of damage from beyond the arc, he also made an impact at the rim. His best finish came on a baseline out-of-bounds play, when he inbounded the ball, got it back and converted an up-and-under for a three-point play. During one key stretch, Gillespie scored eight straight points to help Tennessee seize control.
Gillespie also ran the offense efficiently, finishing with nine assists and only three turnovers. He repeatedly set up Tennessee’s big men by getting into the lane and throwing lobs for dunks.
When Gillespie is playing at that level, Tennessee’s offense is difficult to stop. That was on full display against Miami, though it will face a much tougher test against Virginia, one of the nation’s top defensive teams.
Defense Delivered
Rick Barnes was disappointed with Tennessee’s defensive effort in the first five minutes, but the Vols quickly settled in and delivered a defensive masterclass.
A big reason Tennessee pulled away was its frontcourt’s ability to defend on the perimeter. Tennessee’s forwards struggled with that early, but they responded after hearing from Barnes. The Vols’ big men were asked to defend a Miami team whose tallest regular was 6-foot-9, forcing them to close out in space and stay disciplined away from the basket. The RedHawks’ five-out offense presented a different kind of challenge, but Tennessee’s frontcourt adjusted after a shaky start. Tennessee’s bigs closed out harder while staying under control, taking away clean looks without opening driving lanes.
Felix Okpara and JP Estrella ensured they contested shooters while maintaining gap integrity. One example came with 16:07 left in the second half, when Okpara and Estrella both closed out and helped force an Eian Elmer airball.
Miami finished an abysmal 19-for-54 from the field and 7-for-29 from 3-point range. Tennessee also turned defense into offense by forcing 12 turnovers. Miami entered the game averaging 10.3 turnovers.
Tennessee dominated Miami, but the next matchup will look much different. Virginia presents a more traditional frontcourt challenge with two seven-footers in its rotation.
