Tennessee basketball improved to 6-0 on the young season on Friday night by knocking off Baylor 77-62 to win the Baha Mar Championship.
Chaz Lanier hit five three-pointers in the first four minutes of the game as Tennessee built a massive first half lead. Baylor outplayed the Vols in the second half but never truly threatened as Tennessee earned the victory.
Following the game, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes discussed what he learned about his team while shooting guard Chaz Lanier discussed his 25 point performance. Here’s everything Barnes and Lanier said.
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Rick Barnes (short postgame presser)
Opening statement
“Defensively, just proud of the effort of our older guys who set such a good tone for us. But it’s been fun coming here in this, one of our favorite places to come because we feel like we get a a really good following with the fanbase and I think they’ve enjoyed it. And just the accommodations have been special.”
On Tennessee facing two quality opponents in the tournament and his takeaway after two the games
“Well, I saw really, I thought, great mental preparation. Getting ready. Like I’m sure Baylor, both of us would like to have a little more time, preparation would probably be a little bit different too, maybe. Maybe, maybe not. I mean, we had Virginia, we knew that coming in, so we were able to get that done really before we got here. And then you don’t know what will be next.
“But a lot of credit to our coaching staff. Those guys are doing an incredible job digging deep, going back, not just games this year, but last year. We’re really trying to give our players the best cheat sheet they can to get ready. And we’ve got so much respect for the game and for the our opponents and trying to give them (the players) as much without overloading them. And I’m really proud of their staff for the job that they did and really proud of the players for being able to absorb the different things we threw at them.”
On getting out to such a big lead early in the game
“And in the game, we got we got a flow going early. And when you get a lead like that, it’s really hard to play because you want to continue to be aggressive, but you don’t want to get sloppy. And at times we did. But then defensively, trying to stay with that against the team that puts you in a lot of tough situations like Baylor can do. And, overall, learn that we can continue to get better. We have a chance to have a really good basketball team.
“It’s a long way to go. It’s a long way to go. We’re still early into the season. We’ve had some good wins over some good basketball teams, but I will tell you, I told our team that it’s good. The winning’s good. It feels good. But if you ever think you’ve arrived this time of year, we’ll find out real quick. We’ll get slapped in the face a few times. And I hope we don’t have to do that to keep understanding how much better we can become as a team.”
Chaz Lanier (on Vol Network postgame)
On Tennessee scoring early in the game and him seeing shots go down immediately
Yeah, when that first shot goes in, just all the jitters that you have leading up to the game, they just all go out of your body. So it was good seeing that first shot go in. But my teammates were just finding me all game, so I want to give all the credit to them.”
On the rim getting bigger and bigger with each shot that goes down
“Yep. Every time. Once you see one or two go in, you got to know the next one’s going up for sure.”
On Baylor not letting him get any open looks in the second half
“No. Definitely the second half, they were on me like white on rice. But that leads to my teammates getting open looks because they’re guarding me so hard.”
On him being named Tournament MVP, Jahmai Mashack being named to the All-Tournament team, the defense Mashack plays
“I mean, he’s just different. The toughness that he has is just crazy. Night in, night out, he knows what his job is, and he just fires everybody up.”
On playing against Jahmai Mashack all summer
“Oh, definitely. He’s the hardest defender I’ve I’ve ever played against.”
On his game improving across the board since arriving at Tennessee
“I would just say it’s been challenging. Night in, night out in practice, Coach (Barnes) pushes me to be the best that I can be on defense. And and that’s one of the reasons why I chose to come to Tennessee was to work on my defense. So yeah, big shout out to Coach. I love him so much for pushing me and getting me out of my comfort zone.”
On Baylor’s defense pushing him off the 3-point line, but continuing to make shots
“Yeah, like you said earlier, once once you see two or three go in, the next one is going up and that basket just gets bigger and bigger.”
On growing up in Nashville and spending his final college season at Tennessee
“Yeah, it means a lot. Just being a Nashville kid and watching the Vols play growing up, it means a lot. And to have the state of Tennessee behind me, that that means the world. And to have my parents and family just a two and half hour drive away.”
On if he had family that made it to the Bahamas
“Yep. Luckily, my mom was able to come out here and then a few cousins from Texas were (as well).”
On the preparation for the two games, Baylor on a quick turnaround
“Yep. I’d just say the prep leading up to it is,we scout on them a lot, but really the game plan is to come in and be us, and they’re gonna have to adjust to us. They’ve probably never seen the defense that we’ve played and the pressure they’ve never faced that yet all season. So just come in and be us and everything will fall into place.”
On Darlinstone Dubar making an impact on the court in his first games
“I mean, he’s just a special player. He’s only had two days back in practice. But his effort is just unmatched. hHe’s kinda one of those guys like Jahmai. He’s just super tough, super tough. So y’all will be able to see that the rest of the season.”
On seeing opponents frustration of facing Tennessee’s defense
“I mean, I’d hate to be the other team, especially going up full 94 feet against Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler. You know you’re gonna be in for a long night.”
On getting into transition in the first half
“I mean, we’re just a tough team to play against. Very well rounded. But just like I said, Jahmai Mashack and Zakai, they just set the standard.”
On plans before the team leaves at midday on Saturday
“Oh, man. That’s a good question. Definitely get some rest tonight. Hopefully, maybe jet ski a little bit, but just rest and enjoy our day here.”
