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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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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi Bulldogs during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi Bulldogs during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

#3 – Winning the tough matchups

Getting Barnes a few years ago was the best move the Volunteers had done since the Bruce Pearl era. He has been one of the best coaches in the NCAA over the last 20+ years and will have a good case for the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

It took two years, but Barnes has turned the basketball program at Tennessee, leading them to one of their best campaigns last season, finishing the season with a 26-9 record and co-SEC regular season champions.

During his time here in Knoxville, his teams have had trouble closing the big games out. In consecutive seasons, the Volunteers had trouble closing out North Carolina, ultimately losing both of those games in the final minutes. Last season in the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Tennessee Volunteers blew a double-digit lead to the eventual champions, the Villanova Wildcats.

While they’ve had trouble closing out tough opponents, they have still garnered good wins over the past two years. They beat a very good Purdue team last season in the Battle 4 Atlantis, as well as beating the Kentucky Wildcats twice.

Related Story. Tennessee Basketball Season Preview. light

The Volunteers will have a good number of chances this season to pick up some big wins, and this tournament will be a great chance for them to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the country, especially if they are able to come out with wins against Louisville and Kansas.

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