Tennessee basketball moved up three spots to No. 5 within the AP ballot up to date Monday after successful each video games final week. The Vols beat Mississippi State at house Tuesday night time 87-53 earlier than touring to South Carolina on Saturday and beating the Gamecocks 85-42. UT is the second highest rated SEC crew.
The Vols are considered one of 5 groups labeled by the SEC. Alabama was the best ranked SEC crew at No. 4, whereas Arkansas dropped two spots to No. 15. Missouri was ranked. 20 and Auburn ranked No. 21.
Tennessee dominated Mississippi from begin to end after that Eros Plavsik He received the opening tip and scored on the primary possession of the sport. Paired with a trio of three Santiago Vescovi and three early from Tyrkey key, would mild a 16-0 run to start out the sport. The Vols would by no means lead by lower than the 16 factors they established out of the gate.
UT led by as a lot as 35 factors the night time earlier than with a dominating first-half efficiency. The run to start out the sport ultimately grew to 20-3 earlier than UT continued to steer by as many as 29 within the opening body. Tennessee shot 63% from the sphere and 9-of-14 from behind the three-point line to take a 46-22 halftime result in the locker room.
5 totally different volumes reached double figures towards the Bulldogs. Vescovi led with 14 factors, whereas Ziegler and Julian Phillips All scored 11, and Plavcic Oliver Nakamhua Each scored 10, respectfully. Vescović was ecstatic from the three-point line, beginning the sport 4-of-5 from deep together with three rebounds, two assists and a steal for the sport. Ziegler recorded his first profession double-double, grabbing 10 assists to go together with 11 factors, 4 rebounds and three steals.
The return of the volunteers was the spotlight of the night time Josiah Jordan James. The primary-choice goalkeeper scored on the 15:14 mark of the primary interval to make his first look since December 7 and solely his sixth of the season.
It did not take lengthy for James to make an affect regardless of lacking his first two pictures of the match. He caught a steal in his second shift on the bottom and went on to catch a success from Ziegler in transition that gave Tennessee a 40-14 lead with 2:48 left within the first half. James was tackled in the midst of the sphere by his teammates after the play. He would go on to drop a pair of three-pointers to complete with eight factors on 3-of-5 capturing, 4 assists and a steal in 17 minutes.
Tennessee additionally cruised to a dominant win over South Carolina to start out SEC play with three straight wins. Ute led Nekemoh’s 21 factors on a 10-of-10 shot from the ground. Nekmoh additionally recorded 10 rebounds to finish his first double-double of the season. 4 of his rebounds got here on offensive touchdowns whereas he additionally recorded a steal on defensive finish.
Nkamhoua was considered one of 4 volumes accomplished in double digit type. Vescovi was 5-of-9 from the ground for 12 factors whereas James additionally completed with 12 factors on his return house. The Charleston native additionally grabbed three rebounds in his second sport again from harm. New ahead Jonas Ido Cracked in 15 factors on 2-of-3 capturing.
As a crew, the Volunteers shoot 51% from the sphere and 45% from the three-point line whereas Carolina carries 25% capturing and 15% from three-pointers. They held a five-star freshman JJ Jackson He dropped to zero factors capturing 0 from 8 and compelled him to tip over in 4. The Vols additionally received the rebounding battle 48-21 and beat the Gamecocks 36-16 within the paint.
Tennessee shall be again in motion on Tuesday night time in Knoxville when it hosts Vanderbilt. Tipoff is scheduled with Commodores Jerry Stackhouse (8-7, 1-1 SEC) at 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Community.