No. 11 Tennessee, buoyed by protection, meets Montana

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 assumed everybody’s effort defensively was there.”

Tennessee compelled Louisville to shoot solely 26.7 % from the sector, 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 remaining 13 minutes, and is averaging 16.0 factors per outing.

Lanier, a fifth-year standout, leads the group 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 instructed reporters after the sport that the truth that Tennessee performed so effectively on the highway in a troublesome atmosphere 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 robust we’re.”

Montana (2-1) dominated Northwest Indian School 94-44 on Sunday however now will face its greatest check of the yr as far as it goes on the highway 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 college of the yr after shedding 79-48 to Oregon of their opener on Nov. 8.

Montana is feeling good about its course however is aware of it’s miles from the group it desires to be at this level within the season.

“We have had quite a lot of guys out and in,” Grizzlies coach Travis DeCuire mentioned. “We have had a number of guys miss quite a lot of practices. I feel 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 a bit behind the place we wish to be proper now.”

Matching the Volunteers will not be simple, particularly with Tennessee’s skill to knock down 3-point pictures along with the group’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.

–Area Stage Media