Nov 9, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard J’Vonne Hadley (1) shoots in opposition to Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Gainey (11) and guard Jahmai Mashack (15) in the course of the second half at KFC Yum! Middle. Tennessee defeated Louisville 77-55. Necessary Credit score: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Photos The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers are feeling good about how they’re taking part in this season heading into their sport with Montana on Wednesday night time in Knoxville, Tenn.
Particularly on protection.
Of their most up-to-date sport, the Volunteers dominated Louisville 77-55 on Saturday to enhance to 2-0.
A key participant within the victory was Jahmai Mashack, who scored solely three factors however grabbed seven rebounds in displaying his versatility as a defender.
Mashack additionally tallied three steals to assist lead Tennessee’s robust effort.
“I imply, he was simply dominant,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes mentioned of Mashack. “And he does all of the issues that go into successful. And his effort was nice. I believed everybody’s effort defensively was there.”
Tennessee compelled Louisville to shoot solely 26.7 % from the sphere, and opponents are taking pictures solely 34.8 % in opposition to the Vols this season.
Offensively, Tennessee has proven how harmful it may be, particularly with veteran guards Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier main the best way.
Zeigler scored 19 within the win over the host Cardinals, together with 11 within the closing 13 minutes, and is averaging 16.0 factors per outing.
Lanier, a fifth-year standout, leads the staff at 18.5 factors per sport. He scored a season-best 19 in opposition to Louisville. Felix Okpara additionally scored in double figures, chipping in 10 factors.
Lanier informed reporters after the sport that the truth that Tennessee performed so effectively on the street in a troublesome setting is large for this system shifting ahead because it goals to contend for a title this season.
“It is simply toughness,” Lanier mentioned. “Backside line is it simply exhibits how powerful we’re.”
Montana (2-1) dominated Northwest Indian School 94-44 on Sunday however now will face its greatest take a look at of the yr as far as it goes on the street to face a Southeastern Convention opponent.
The Grizzlies allowed their fewest factors since 2021 in Sunday’s win and had a 50-26 rebounding benefit. 9 gamers scored for Montana, together with Kai Johnson, who contributed a team-high 22 factors. He’s averaging a team-best 16.3 per sport this season.
The Grizzlies will face their second Energy 5 faculty of the yr after shedding 79-48 to Oregon of their opener on Nov. 8.
Montana is feeling good about its route however is aware of it’s miles from the staff it desires to be at this level within the season.
“We have had lots of guys out and in,” Grizzlies coach Travis DeCuire mentioned. “We have had a number of guys miss lots of practices. I believe we’re three guys within the rotation which have missed 10 or extra practices. For chemistry, for stream, that is taking part in a bit into the place we’re just a little behind the place we need to be proper now.”
Matching the Volunteers will not be straightforward, particularly with Tennessee’s means to knock down 3-point pictures along with the staff’s defensive toughness.
The Vols made 10 3-pointers in opposition to Louisville — out of 19 makes an attempt — and have linked 18 occasions from 3-point vary this season.
–Subject Stage Media
