Even with two key rotation pieces sidelined, J.P. Estrella and Bishop Boswell, Tennessee delivered its most complete performance of the season.
The Vols surged ahead to a 33-7 lead behind a burst from Amaree Abram and never looked back, securing an 89-60 win over Tennessee State.
It was UT’s final tune-up before a challenging stretch that begins Monday against Rutgers in the Players Era Tournament.
While the Vols clearly outmatched the Tigers, they also uncovered a few encouraging developments that could matter when the competition ramps up.
Here are three takeaways from UT’s final buy game before a grueling six-game stretch.
Shining at Shooting Guard
Tennessee has been searching for someone to seize the shooting guard role, especially with Boswell still recovering from a left foot injury.
After a shaky outing in his first UT start against Rice, Abram responded with his best game yet in Knoxville.
He hit his first three 3-point attempts, showing variety in how he made them: a deep catch-and-shoot, one coming off a flare screen and another sprinting baseline to the corner. The senior finished 4-for-6 from the field with 15 points, making a strong case to secure a consistent spot in the rotation as the schedule stiffens.
Defensive Demands
Each game, Rick Barnes measures Tennessee’s defense against his high standard. Through the first three games, the Vols had fallen well short. Thursday was a step in the right direction.
Tennessee throttled the Tigers, executing its typical defensive scheme far better; switching 1-4 while mixing in drop coverage and hard hedges when the center set the screen. The fundamentals finally matched the effort, and the result was TSU’s offense grinding to a halt.
The Tigers shot just 32.1 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from the 3-point line.
Carey Carrying the Ball
Jaylen Carey struggled to find his rhythm early in the season, but he is quickly settling into a meaningful role. The forward posted six points on 3-for-4 shooting, but it was his passing that stood out most.
Carey handed out four assists, including a highlight sequence in which he pushed the ball up the floor and fired a pass to Felix Okpara for a dunk.
If Carey continues to facilitate at this level, it adds a valuable wrinkle to Tennessee’s offense. It opens the floor, enabling big-to-big actions and giving UT a different type of playmaker.
Tennessee showed flashes of the firepower and defensive sharpness it will need to compete with top-tier teams.
However, the real test begins now.
The Vols move from facing Tennessee State, No. 242 in KenPom, to Rutgers (No. 96) and Houston (No. 3).
A stretch many view as the toughest multi-team event in college basketball.
