Tennessee basketball opens up play at the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas on Thursday night, facing off against Virginia in its second power five test of the season.
The Vols are 4-0 on the young season with a win at Louisville and at home in three buy games. Over the next two days, Tennessee will face two power five opponents including a top 25 opponent on Friday. But first, its a matchup between the Vols and the Hoos.
Here’s everything to know about the Thursday night matchup in paradise.
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Zakai Zeigler — 15.5 PPG, 54.1 FG%, 47.6 3PT%
Rebounds: Felix Okpara — 6.5 RPG, 4 DRPG, 2.5 ORPG
Assists: Zakai Zeigler — 7.8 APG, 4.5 TOPG, 31.8 MPG
Virginia:
Points: Isaac McNeely — 16 PPG, 64 FG%, 64.7 3PT%
Rebounds: Jacob Cofie — 7.7 RPG, 6.3 DRPG, 1.3 ORPG
Assists: Blake Buchanan — 2.7 APG, 0.7 TOPG, 22 MPG
Latest Games
Tennessee:
- 103-68 win versus Austin Peay
- 92-57 win versus Montana
- 77-55 win at Louisville
- 80-64 win versus Gardner-Webb
Virginia:
- 70-60 win against Villanova (Baltimore)
- 62-45 win versus Coppin State
- 65-56 win versus Campbell
Prediction
Tennessee basketball gets the first of what should be two solid tests on Thursday night. Virginia has a new (interim) coach after Tony Bennett stepped away shortly before the season began but this is the same Cavaliers team you’re used to.
The Hoos are good defensively and will shorten the game by playing the pack line defense. But offensively they’re pretty limited. The key for Tennessee is to take Isaac McKneely out of the game. The wing is an elite shooter and Virginia’s best scorer. I’m expecting a heavy dose of Jahmai Mashack on him.
But the telling thing will be how much success Tennessee’s offense has against Virginia. KenPom thinks Tennessee only scores 70 points. If the Vols can hit some shots and score in the upper 70s it would be another good sign for an offense that’s been overall encouraging to this point in the season.
Tennessee 74, Virginia 62
