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Tennessee Basketball: 3 Keys for the NIT Tip-Off

By Stetson Marlin

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 31: Zach Kent #33, Brad Woodson #12, Admiral Schofield #5, and D.J. Burns #32 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the National Anthem before the game between the Tusculum Pioneers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 31, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 31: Zach Kent #33, Brad Woodson #12, Admiral Schofield #5, and D.J. Burns #32 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the National Anthem before the game between the Tusculum Pioneers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on October 31, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 13: Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shoots the ball with Kyle Alexander #11, Jalen Johnson #13 and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers defending at Thompson-Boling Arena on November 13, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 13: Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shoots the ball with Kyle Alexander #11, Jalen Johnson #13 and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers defending at Thompson-Boling Arena on November 13, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

#2 – Contributions throughout the lineup

The Tennessee Volunteers have leaned on their starting five so far this season to put points up on the board. Four of the five starters average over 10 points a game, including 22 points a game from reigning SEC Player of the Year, Grant Williams.

So far through the first three games, the Volunteers have got key minutes from bench players like John Fulkerson, Yves Pons, Jalen Johnson, and Derrick Walker, but have been without Lamonte Turner during those games.

Turner has missed the first three games as he has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but Coach Rick Barnes announced on Monday that Turner will be back for the NIT Season Tip-Off.

While the Volunteers have depended on their starting five to put points on the board, they will need to get key minutes from their bench players. Getting Turner back will give the Volunteers another threat offensively, and will help them out tremendously at the guard position.

Fulkerson has also played very well for the Volunteers so far this season. Although he averages just four points a game, he has been a key player on defense, seeing 17 minutes of action a game. Fulkerson has played a good bit because of his hustle, game in and game out.

Pons has played a good bit as well. He saw more action during the Volunteers first two wins but was in foul trouble for much of the win over Georgia Tech.

Walker played a decent number of bench minutes during the Volunteers first two blowouts but didn’t see any action against Georgia Tech, as Coach Barnes stated it was because of matchups.

While the Volunteers starting lineup was able to bring along three victories to start the season off, the entire team will have to contribute this week in order for Tennessee to come out with two wins. If they get contributions from each guy, it will be very hard to stop the No. 5 team in the nation.

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