Tennessee basketball vs Vanderbilt prediction: Vols, Commodores have rematch at UT

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Tennessee basketball is finishing off its home-and-home SEC opponents Saturday.

The No. 4 Vols (20-5, 7-5 SEC) face Vanderbilt (17-7, 5-6) on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Food City Center. The Commodores are one of three conference opponents the Vols face twice during the 2024-25 season. They already played Florida and Kentucky twice. Tennessee lost 76-75 at Vanderbilt on Jan. 18.

Here is what to know about the rematch:

What Rick Barnes wants to see Tennessee do better vs Vanderbilt

Vols coach Rick Barnes praised the way Vanderbilt operated in ball-screen offense in the first meeting. He stressed Tennessee’s ball-screen defense struggled, which was a credit to Vanderbilt and the way that coach Mark Byington’s offense works.

“I’m impressed with Mark and what he’s done with his group,” Barnes said. “They’ve been right here all year with everyone and he’s done a great job.”

He also wants to see UT shoot the ball better against the Commodores.

“At some point in time we’re going to have to make shots,” Barnes said. “But even with that, we’ve proven that we can hang in there and, hopefully, make enough to get it done when it needs to get done.”

How Tennessee lost the first game vs Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt ran away from Tennessee in the middle of game, outscoring the Vols in the back half of the first half and then lighting up UT with 3-pointers to start the second half.

Tennessee scored the final nine points. Chaz Lanier had a layup blocked at the rim that would have tied the game. He shot a pair of free throws with 2.8 seconds to play. He made the first, but missed the second and the Vols lost by one.

Can Darlinstone Dubar help Tennessee before March Madness?

Darlinstone Dubar is the eighth man in the Tennessee rotation, but his minutes continue to fluctuate.

Barnes said the key for Dubar is to not worry about making a shot to stay in the game. Specifically, Barnes doesn’t want Dubar worrying about hitting 3-pointers.

“He’s got so many other things he can do,” Barnes said. “We…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-basketball-vs-vanderbilt-prediction-192152307.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2025-02-14 19:21:00

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