The men’s Tennessee basketball team has displayed evidence of being the program’s first Final Four team. Tennessee had impressive wins over Baylor, Illinois, Miami, Arkansas and Texas heading into their matchup with No. 23 Georgia.

They held the No. 1 ranking in both polls for a school-record five weeks and have shown an ability to win in different ways that has some people convinced this team could outdo the Elite Eight squad of last season. Wednesday night’s 74-56 rout of the Bulldogs (14-3) was an example.

Although the Vols (16-1) couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn in the first half, shooting just 20 percent on 3-point attempts with leading scorer Chaz Lanier going 1-for-9 from the field, UT opened the second half on a 26-4 run. In that time, they made seven of their first 11 shots and led by as much as 22 points.

Keys were offensive rebounding, a full-court press and three straight 3s by point guard Zakai Ziegler, who sparked the Vols with 16 points, seven assists and a single-game record six steals. He now has the career school record in steals with 215.

“(Zeigler) has been an incredible blessing to me,” said Vols coach Rick Barnes. “I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s my comfort blanket.”

Told what Barnes said about him, Ziegler calmly replied, “I know.”

Barnes said Jahmai Mashack, who scored 11 points, and Cade Phillips, who came off the bench for 10 points (eight in the first half) were “terrific.” The duo combined to make 10 of 11 field-goal attempts.

Phillips has been bothered by a shoulder injury but continues to press forward.

“I asked him about his shoulder,” Barnes said of Phillips, “and he said, ‘It doesn’t matter, I’m playing.'”  

However, as good as Tennessee has been, and as good as it was in the second half against Georgia, it was embarrassed by Florida 73-43 last week. Also, the Vols have flashed some flaws that could derail them in the NCAA Tournament.

For Tennessee to be a Final Four team, it needs for these four things to happen.

Mashack must continue to be the offensive threat he was against Georgia.

Mashack has battled an injured left pinky since Dec. 23, and it has affected his shot. He said he recently changed his jumper and continues to get reps so he’ll feel comfortable shooting in games.

It paid off against Georgia as he was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including a 3-pointer and two mid-range jumpers.

“I know I can hoop, but me trying to prove I’m a good offensive player is not always good for the team,” he said pointing to other scoring options like Lanier and Jordan Gainey and Ziegler,” Mashack said.

Mashack is an elite defender, but entering the Georgia game, he was averaging just 5.4 points per game and shooting 28 percent from 3-point range. Defenses were sagging off him, daring him to shoot.

If he has indeed found his stroke, that will help immensely because center Felix Okpara is a limited offensive threat down low. He scores on ally-oops and offensive rebounds.

And it’s tough on an offense if two of your five starters aren’t scoring threats.

Darlingstone Dubar must continue to emerge.

Dubar had his best game of the season at Texas, scoring 12 points, going 3-of-5 on 3s and grabbing six rebounds. He also had a slam dunk on a teammate’s missed shot. In 17-plus minutes, he had the best plus-minus on the team (eight).

But he was a no-show against Georgia: 0 points, one rebound and one assist in 10:34 of play.

Dubar not only can provide much-needed added punch but valuable depth. Due to injuries and transfers, UT has played mostly with a seven-man rotation. Dubar makes eight – and he’s a key.

Tennessee must improve its 3-point shooting.

The Vols are shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc, but Lanier is the only Vol above 36 percent — he’s at 41.7%. And that includes a woeful 1-for-9 against Georgia.

A lot of teams are streaky when it comes to outside shooting, but the Vols have taken that to another level. For example, UT went 0-for-14 from 3 in the first half against Florida and 4-for-29 for the game. That’s 13.8 percent.

In the first half against Georgia, Tennessee was 3-for-15 from distance.

When you don’t have a big man to feed inside for baskets – like a Grant Williams – outside shooting becomes more important. And if you go cold from the perimeter, you’re prone to extended scoring droughts.

Entering the Texas game, UT had four players making less than 30 percent from 3-point range. Texas, by comparison, had four players making over 40 percent on 3s.

Since then, three Vols have moved above the 30 percent line but just barely: Those three – Ziegler, Mashack, Dubar — are still less than 31 percent.

Jordan Gainey (35.3 percent from 3) is UT’s second-best outside gunner, and Ziegler showed his potential with the 3s he hit against Georgia.

Bottom line: Tennessee must find more reliable 3-point shooting from anyone not named Lanier.

Tennessee must get healthy.

Mashack has been impacted by a finger injury. Phillips is fighting through a shoulder problem. Backup freshman point guard Bishop Boswell has been slowed by a strained hamstring.

For a team not blessed with depth, having healthy bodies is a key, especially at tournament time.