Scouting a tough Tennessee Volunteers squad

LAS VEGAS – Following a tough-fought overtime win last night against Syracuse, the 6-0 Houston Cougars will face the 6-0 Tennessee Vols in what should be an epic matchup.

There is star power written all over this one! Both teams have talented freshmen and top-notch returners. Tennessee will have revenge on its mind following the beatdown it took at the hands of Houston in Indianapolis in the Sweet 16. I’d expect an all-out war in this game.

Nate Ament is the Vols’ most talented player and was the #4 recruit in the class of 2025. He is a three-level scorer that can do it all. But my head of the snake for this one is the transfer from Maryland, Ja’Kobi Gillespie. The 6’1″ guard is crafty, can shoot the deep ball, and does a great job of getting paint touches to facilitate for his teammates. Keep an eye on him.

Tennessee is a legit Final Four contender. It will be interesting to see how the Coogs respond after a lackluster performance against Syracuse (Milos said on TNT after the game that Syracuse played harder than the Coogs). That is not typical of a Houston basketball team, and I can’t wait to see them respond to that when they hit the floor today.

Tennessee Offense Notes

• Tennessee has an outstanding roster and more well-rounded offensive firepower this season. Ament and Gillespie are both ELITE scorers from all three levels. Then they bring in a ton of guys who can score off the bench.
• The Vols do a nice job of moving without the basketball. The ball rarely gets stuck, and they are looking to get paint touches to open up outside shots for their teammates or to hit them on a back-door cut to the basket.
• UT is BY FAR the best outside shooting the Coogs have faced this year. As a team, they are shooting 37% from beyond the arc. Houston will have to identify who is hot for them and adjust.
• The Vols will study the blitz and monster from the Sweet 16 game last year. The Coogs will need to adjust if they get open shots or layups because of slow rotations defensively.

Volunteers Defense Notes

• They play tough nosed man-to-man defense as always.
• Tennessee loves to full-court press. It’s similar to the same “face guard” press that Auburn and Syracuse run.
• They like to make it very difficult to get the ball in-bounds.

Tennessee Personnel

(*Indicates likely starters)

*#0 – Ja’Kobi Gillespie – 6’1 – SR – Guard – (Belmont, Maryland) – 13ppg, 3rpg, 6apg, 3TOpg.

• Head of the snake;
• Outstanding point guard. Absolute bucket on offense;
• Put on a show vs Rutgers on Monday: 32 points (6-10 from 3pt);
• Great outside shooter (41%);
• Nice floater in the paint and excellent at driving to the basket;
• A little loose with the ball at times. Perhaps the Blitz will give him issues.

*#10 – Nate Ament – 6’10” – FR – Forward – 19ppg, 8rpg, 3apg, 2spg.

• Former McDonald’s All-American. Very similar game to Chris Cenac Jr.
• Long/athletic forward. One of the top freshmen in the country;
• Can step out to shoot the three (10-30, 33%);
• Solid mid-range jumper.
• Tough around the rim;
• Excellent rebounder and passer.

*#12 – Cade Phillips – 6’9″ – JR – Forward – 5ppg, 5rpg.

• I was his mom’s waterboy when I was in the 5th grade, and she was a senior at our school. Damn, I’m old;
• Tall/athletic forward. Glue Guy;
• Good rebounder on both ends of the court;
• Solid scorer around the rim. Does not even look to shoot outside of the paint.

#77 – Amaree Abram – 6’3″ – SR – Guard – (Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech) – 4ppg, 2rpg.

• World traveler. On his 4th College;
• LEFTY;
• Can shoot it from deep (4-11, 36%);
• Watch out for him cutting to the basket.

*#34 – Felix Okpara – 6’11” – SR – Forward – (Ohio State) – 9ppg, 7rpg, 1.5bpg.

• Big body post presence. Extemely long and strong;
• Can shoot the three when left unguarded;
• Good rebounder on both ends;
• Great free-throw shooter for a post player (9-9, 100%).

*#3 – Bishop Boswell – 6’4″ – SO – Guard – 4ppg, 5rpg.

• Small guard off the bench. I don’t believe he’s 6’4″, but who knows?;
• High percentage shooter, but only 7 total attempts on the season (3-5 3pt, 60%);
• Rebounds well for a guard.

#13 – J.P. Estrella – 6’11” – RS SO – Forward – 13ppg, 6rpg

• Extremely long forward. Super long wing-span;
• Looking to bring INSTANT offense off the bench;
• Really athletic! Solid rebounder and high flyer;
• Capable of shooting the three, but would prefer to play inside.

#23 – Jaylen Carey – 6’8″ – JR – Forward – (James Madison, Vanderbilt) – 6ppg, 5rpg.

• Big/strong forward;
• Can play inside or outside, but seems best in the post from what I’ve seen;
• Will knock down the three if left open (3-6, 50%).

#6 – DeWayne Brown II – 6’8″ – FR – Forward – 6ppg, 3rpg.

• Watched him for years at Hoover High School in Alabama;
• Big body forward. Still a little raw. Will be a really good player over time;
• Solid around the rim with either hand;
• Struggles at times catching passes cleanly. MONSTER him in the post.

#35 – Ethan Burg – 6’3″ – SO – Guard – 6ppg, 3rpg.

• Strong guard;
• Good at driving to the rim;
• Excellent three-point shooter (6-13, 46%).

Tennessee Cheat Sheet

What I’m Watching For…

1. Toughest team wins. This game will be a battle and more than likely a “rock fight”. Milos and Eman admitted on TNT that they got outworked by Syracuse. I don’t see that happening two days in a row. It will take an all-out effort to beat this Tennessee team. Who will be the tougher team today, and do whatever it takes to win?
2. Defensive Adjustments. I expect the Vols to be prepared for the blitz and monster. I will be watching to see if the Coogs adjust their defensive assignments. He has played GREAT, but Kalifa keeps getting stuck when blitzing the guards, and it’s leading to dunks. At times vs Auburn, they put him in drop coverage. Will they do the same today?
3. Cenac vs Ament. Two guys that have eerily similar games and are built from the same mold. Both are ultra-talented. I’m excited to watch them go head-to-head.
4. Paint Touches. The Coogs are so much better when they get paint touches from their guards. I’m hoping to see Milos, Kingston, and Emanuel get in the paint to score or kick out to open shooters, who MUST make wide-open shots.