Nothing is more dangerous than playing an underrated team under the spotlight your first game at No. 1 in college basketball. The only other two times the Vols debuted atop those rankings, they visited the Vanderbilt Commodores, losing one and needing overtime to win the other…against a team that finished 9-23.
So when UT tipped off against the Miami Hurricanes in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, N.Y., on ESPN Tuesday night, their first game ranked No. 1 this year, there was cause for concern. Miami is entered 3-6 but lost to all elite teams, many by two scores or less. In short, they are better than that record.
Rick Barnes’ team learned that, as The U forced tons of sloppy stretches against a Tennessee team that only had seven players see the court due to Darlinstone Dubar in concussion protocol. However, unlike previous teams under Barnes, the Vols answered the call every time things got tight.
When Miami took a 25-24 lead with just under eight minutes to go in the first half, Tennessee closed the half on a 14-0 run to go up 38-25. In the second half, despite building a 57-39 lead, Miami cut it to 63-56 with just over five minutes to go. Once again, UT answered the call, finishing the game on a 12-6 run.
In both cases, as the Vols saw things slipping away, they manufactured points to take back control. This is more proof than ever that Barnes is running a different program than what he ran most of his life. Sure, he still focuses on defense, but he places an emphasis on veteran, backcourt scorers being able to take over.
They sparked both runs from beyond the arc in this one. Zakai Zeigler launched the 14-0 run by getting fouled on a three and hitting all three free throws. He finished the game with 13 points and nine assists. Igor Milicic Jr. sparked the close-out run with a three late, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Chaz Lanier remained the star, though, taking over in both of those runs and at other times, as he had 22 points and was 8-of-15 from the field, going 4-of-7 from three. Cade Phillips and Jordan Gainey added nine and eight points respectively off the bench, and UT was a key 10-of-25 from three.
As a result, the Vols remain undefeated, moving to 9-0, while No. 1 in both polls thanks to getting help when they need it. They will next visit the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday. Miami falls to 3-7 and returns home to host the Presbyterian Blue Hose Sunday.
