The Vols’ toughness will be challenged against Georgia
Knoxville, Tenn. – Georgia men’s basketball team is third in the country with dunks per game.
Being physical in the post and not allowing the Dawgs to get uncontested looks with be a massive key to the game for Tennessee and Rick Barnes.
That type of physicality is an area where Tennessee’s defense has struggled.
Against Florida, Tennessee did not have an answer for the physicality and length of the Gators. They struggled with that same combination against Texas in the first half.
They’ll get another go at it when they welcome in Georgia on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs are the 12th tallest team in the country and they have a freshman in Asa Newell who has been relatively efficient lately.
He attacks the paint at a high clip, through four SEC games the freshman is 20-34 or 58% from the field.
Tennessee’s task, they need to finish around the rim and rebound better and not give Georgia open lanes.
Someone who will carry a big part of the load is 6’11” Felix Okpara.
“I’m just going to try and contest every shot. And I think it’s just going to be a good opportunity for us,” said Okpara.
For Okpara, he said the next step in his game is to be more consistent.
He said he’s making strides with that by coming in late and getting additional reps so his teammates have confidence in feeding him the ball.
“Zakai (Zeigler) and all the point guards can look at to get easy buckets because I feel like I can be that guy and pull pressure away from all the guys on the court. I think that’s the next step for me,” said Okpara.
The other key to the game is Tennessee needs to be efficient from the perimeter.
Also known as Chaz Lanier needs to take the open-look shots.
Head Coach Rick Barnes said the quiet part out loud after Texas, that Lanier’s getting paid to make certain shots and he’s not taking them.
Late in the first half, he passed instead of taking an open look from the wing. Barnes was not happy and pulled him out of the game.
A big part of the battle is fighting against his nature.
Lanier is a very unselfish and humble person, and that oftentimes translates onto the court where he gives up a good look to give his teammates a better look.
Assistant coach Lucas Campbell said he can’t keep doing that.
“That’s what you’re best at. You shoot the ball at an elite level, an NBA level. So we want him to do that for us. So coach (Barnes) is trying to get across to him if you pass up opportunities now, they might not come later in the game. Because teams don’t want you to get a shot. You’ve got to take the ones that are there,” said Campbell.
That’ll be especially true against the Dawgs who are 9th in the country, holding teams to 28% from the 3-point line.