INDIANAPOLIS – The 30-7 Tennessee Volunteers face top-seed Houston in the Midwest Regional final Sunday afternoon. The two head coaches, Rick Barnes and Kelvin Sampson, go way back and are close friends. That said, I would expect an absolute blood-bath, rock-fight, fist-fight…whatever your favorite phrase is for a battle between two behemoths in college basketball.

The Final Four is at stake.

All-American point guard Zakai Zeigler leads the Vols and is the obvious head of the snake. The 5’9″ guard is the third-straight elite point guard that Houston has faced (Andrew Nembhard of Gonzaga and Braden Smith from Purdue). Facing those three in consecutive games is crazy! Zakai is a three-level scorer, but is silky smooth whether it’s getting to the paint to score or finding an open teammate.

Transfer guard Chaz Lanier can do it all: he leads the Vols in scoring and is, by far, their best three-point shooter at 41%. They are joined by multi-option scoring guards Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack. Tennessee has excellent size inside with Felix Okpara, Igor Milicic Jr., and Cade Phillips. The Coogs must protect the glass at all costs and ensure they don’t give the Vols extra looks.

This one will be a battle, and every possession will be vital. The Cougars would love to have Mylik Wilson available, but he is officially a game-time decision (but unlikely to play). Houston will have to be the toughest team for 40 minutes to return to the Final Four for the seventh time.

Tennessee Offense Notes

• They are a decent three-point shooting team, but they would much rather get to the rim and free-throw line. They also like the mid-range jumper.
• Tennessee is a good offensive rebounding team and is super athletic. Houston will need to rebound as a unit!
• Chaz Lanier is a major three-level scorer. Houston will need to limit his touches.

Volunteer Defense Notes

• They completely denied Kentucky’s best shooter, Kobe Breah. I expect them to try to deny LJ from getting clean looks.
• Tennessee primarily plays tough HC M2M defense.

Tennessee Personnel

*#2 – Chaz Lanier – 6’5″ – 5th – Guard – (North Florida) – 18ppg, 4rpg.

• Houston played him two years ago, when he was at North Florida. He had zero points in 15 minutes, but I would not expect that again.
• Elite three-level scorer;
• Outstanding three-point shooter – 121/299 (41%);

*#5 – Zakai Zeigler – 5’9″ – SR – Guard – 14ppg, 3rpg, 7.5apg.

• Small but solid three-level scoring point guard. He knows how to use his size to his advantage;
• Average outside shooter – 63/193 (33%);
• Excellent in the mid-range and on floaters in the paint;
• Draws a ton of fouls – 142/175 (81%);

*#7 – Igor Milicic Jr. – 6’10” – SR – Forward – (Virginia/ Charlotte) – 10ppg, 7rpg.

• Big body, outside threat;
• Solid outside shooter for a 6’10” guy – 38/120 (32%);
• Good scorer in the paint and around the basket.

*#34 – Felix Okpara – 6’11” – JR – Forward – (Ohio State) – 7ppg, 6rpg.

• HUGE/athletic forward;
• Excellent around the rim;
• Tough rebounder on both ends.

*#15 – Jahmai Mashack – 6’4″ – SR – Guard – 6ppg, 4rpg.

• Big/athletic guard;
• Doesn’t shoot a ton of threes, but is more than capable – 20/55 (36%);
• Solid mid-range jumper.

#11 – Jordan Gainey – 6’4″ – SR – Guard – (USC Upstate) – 11ppg, 3rpg

• Solid scoring guard;
• Has the clutch gene. He is a big-time shot maker when his team needs him;
• Looks to bring an offensive spark off the bench.
• Slightly below average three-point shooter – 47/156 (30%).

#12 – Cade Phillips – 6’9″ – SO – Forward – 5ppg, 4rpg.

• FUN FACT: Cade attended the high school I graduated from (he played his senior year at Link Academy, where UH commit Chris Cenac currently plays);
• FUN FACT 2: When his mom was in high school, I was the team’s water boy (when I was in elementary school).
• FUN FACT 3: His mom played basketball at Alabama. His dad played QB at Alabama. His uncle played QB at Alabama. His grandfather played football at Alabama. And then he decided to go to one of their biggest rivals, Tennessee. 🙂
• Long/athletic forward;
• Looking to bring a defensive spark off the bench;
• Outstanding hustle guy and rebounder;
• Solid around the basket; They love to lob to him on BLOB plays.

#8 – Darlinstone Dubar – 6’6″ – 5th – Guard – (Iowa State/ Hofstra) – 3ppg, 2rpg.

• Long back-up guard;
• Below average shooter – 16/60 (27%);
• Very athletic and best when getting in the paint.

Keys to Victory

1. SURVIVE. That’s it. That’s the list. Do whatever it takes to win. Every loose ball is the most important one in your career. Every rebound is vital. Turnovers are more costly than ever. It all comes down to this. Toughest team advances to San Antonio.