In only one hour, the Tennessee Vols demonstrate why they may either win it all or quickly leave in March.
The Tennessee Volunteers appear to finally have gotten their groove back after a tough stretch of games in the first half of SEC play. That was evident in the Vols’ 70-52 win at Oklahoma on Saturday to cap their third straight win.
The Vols were powered by a first half that was as impressive as any they’d put together this year. They shot 69.2% from the floor (18-26) to take a 45-25 lead into the locker room. During one stretch, they made five straight shots from the floor to take an early 13-9 lead that they would never relinquish the rest of the game.
And that’s why this team – on one hand – could be special. Chaz Lanier was on his game in the first half. 5-7 from the field and 3-4 from three with a quick release and a deft touch. Tennessee got key contributions on the offensive end from the rest of the starters as well, in addition to Jordan Gainey and Darlinstone Dubar. Igor Milicic, Jr. was 3-4 with 8 points in the half. Zakai Zeigler had a whopping 7 assists to go with 8 points before the break, dealing the ball inside and out to the perimeter for open looks.
