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Tennessee Basketball: Vols getting contributions from all around

By Stetson Marlin

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Volunteers are off to one of their hottest starts in team history and the main reason is contributions from players all over the court.

They have jumped out to a 13-1 record, including a 2-0 record in SEC play. The Volunteers are currently sitting at the No. 3 spot in the country, but have played like the best team in the country throughout most of the season.

Contributions from all over the court

This Tennessee basketball team has shown why it’s one of the best teams in the country over its nine-game winning streak. Each guy is contributing in some way. Take, for example, the Volunteers knocked off No. 1 Gonzaga in early December because of Admiral Schofield’s 30 points.

While Schofield and Grant Williams are being talked about the most around the country, this team is successful all around. Schofield and Williams are No. 1 and 2 in scoring offense in the SEC and have led the Volunteers in scoring a majority of the games so far this season.

But in these first two SEC games, the Volunteers have leaned on other guys throughout the lineup, including Jordan Bone, Kyle Alexander, and Jordan Bowden. A great example of this is last night’s win against Missouri. Both Schofield and Williams struggled early on, combining for just three points going into halftime. Although they combined for just three points, the Volunteers went into halftime with an 11 point lead.

Jordan Bone

Bone has established himself as one of the best point guards in the nation to this point. He’s averaging 14.2 points a game and over six assists a game. His vision has been excellent this season and he is helping his teammates strive so far.

During Lamonte Turner’s injury, Bone was able to make a name for himself, getting more and more playing time during his absence. Bone has scored in double digits in 12 out of the 14 games this season. On top of that, he’s added three 10-plus assist games. His best game of the season came against Samford, where he finished with 24 points and 11 assists.

During his first two years on Rocky Top, Bone showed glimpses of his excellence, but so far this year, he’s looked good all year long. He’s been so explosive to the rim and has opened up his game so much. Not only can he drive hard to the rim, but his midrange game and three-point shooting have gone up so far.

Kyle Alexander

Alexander has been a great player in the post for the Tennessee Volunteers all year long. This is just my personal opinion, but if Alexander continues this excellent play, he could make a name for himself around the country and be a draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft. He has scored in the double digits in 10 of the Volunteers games so far, including a career-high 19 points against Wake Forest.

https://twitter.com/GrantRamey/status/1082828957970563072

Alexander has been a rebounding machine during the two SEC games. To go along with his 12 points against Georgia, he pulled down 14 rebounds and three offensive rebounds in the Volunteers blowout victory. During Tuesday night’s win against Missouri, he finished with 14 points and finished with a career-high 17 rebounds and an outstanding seven offensive rebounds. The Volunteers will only get better from here if Alexander keeps this play up.

Jordan Bowden

Bowden has been a key player for the Tennessee Volunteers this season. While his scoring is fifth on the team, he has been clutch for them all season long. He jumped out to a hot start against Lenior Rhyne and Louisville but hit a little skid. He caught fire during a three-game stretch, scoring double digits in the three straight wins. Bowden hit three key threes down the stretch in the Volunteers win against Gonzaga.

Bowden’s caught fire these first two SEC games, finishing with 20 points in each of those wins. His shooting percentage in those games has been excellent, as he shot 8-13 against Georgia and 7-12 against Missouri.

Bowden, along with these two other players will be key for the Volunteers if they want to be successful from here on out.

Deservingly so, Schofield and Williams should get recognition from everyone around the country, but this has been a team effort for the Tennessee Volunteers 14 games in. Not only will teams have to prepare for the strong play of Schofield and Williams, but they will also have to stop the explosive speed of Bone, the strong play around the rim from Alexander, and the hot shooting from Bowden. Add in Turner to that and the Volunteers will be hard to stop.

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