Observations from Tennessee’s Win Against Syracuse

By Tucker Harlin

#3 Tennessee (8-0) ran past Syracuse (4-3) 96-70 for a victory in the ACC/SEC Challenge Tuesday in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. This wasn’t trending to end in a close result with the news of J.J. Starling’s hand injury, and it played out that way on the court.

The Vols’ physicality presented itself in areas we aren’t accustomed to it appearing. The offensive glass provided 13 boards for the Vols, an area where Syracuse generally doesn’t allow opponents to capitalize.

Syracuse doesn’t lack size inside, but it felt like Tennessee’s bigs won the battle in the paint from the jump. Here’s a broader look at what happened in each half.

FIRST HALF

The first half was respectable on one end of the court and lackluster on the other for Tennessee.

The Vols’ output at the three-point line was less than ideal. The two in the 2/15 performance were made by Zakai Zeigler, one of which resulted in a four-point play.

Fortunately for the Vols, they scored inside both on putbacks and drives with ease.

Cade Phillips essentially scored 10 points by following misses and throwing down lobs. Phillips looks more and more like the hidden gem of this team with each passing game. Felix Okpara, Jahmai Mashack, and even Chaz Lanier were productive inside.

The defense wasn’t in peak condition for a Rick Barnes team.

It felt like Syracuse scored turnaround jumpers with regularity much of the half. It didn’t shoot nearly as many threes as Tennessee, but the Orange was just shy of 50% from distance.

Syracuse had an opportunity to close the gap when sent to the free throw line late in the half, but it couldn’t convert any attempts in the closing minutes.

SECOND HALF

Tennessee’s defense surrendered 35 second half points, although that number didn’t bulge until it took its foot off the gas. Syracuse didn’t reach 20 points in the half until there was six minutes remaining in the game.

Among some of the defensive highlights were blocks from Cade Phillips and Felix Okpara and a strip of Orange center Eddie Lampkin by freshman Bishop Boswell.

The three-point shooting improved exponentially from the 2/15 first half. Chaz Lanier followed an 0/5 first half with a 4/5 second half, finishing with 26 to lead all scorers.

Jordan Gainey scored all 12 of his points between the 15 and 9-minute marks, and two of those buckets were from beyond the arc. Igor Milicic and Zakai Zeigler also contributed at the three-point line in the second half.

The blowout was finished off by four Grant Hurst points in the final minutes. And a make by Darlinstone Dubar that Rick Barnes rolled his eyes at.