
Tennessee basketball heads on the road Saturday to face top-ranked Auburn in the game of the day in college basketball.
It’s an incredible challenge and opportunity for Tennessee to make a statement and earn what would be the best win of the entire college basketball season to this point.
Here’s everything to know ahead of the top 10 tilt.
More From RTI: Auburn Reveals Latest Injury Status for Superstar Johni Broome Ahead of Tennessee Game
Tennessee’s Three-Point Defense vs. Auburn’s Three-Point Offense
Auburn doesn’t just have the best offense in the country but has one of the most efficient offenses in modern history according to KenPom. One of the most impressive parts of Auburn’s offense is its three-point shooting. The Tigers are making just under 10 three-pointers a game and are doing it at an impressive 38% clip.
On the other side, Tennessee has the best three-point defense in the country with its opponents shooting just 26% from beyond the arc.
There’s obviously a luck variance to three-point defense in a one game sample size but Tennessee needs it to go there way at Auburn. If the Tigers make 10-plus three-pointers it’s very difficult to see Tennessee pulling the upset there.
One big question here is if star forward Johni Broome plays. He’s such a great passer out of the post that Auburn’s guards will get a lot of open shots if he does.
Tennessee Has To Keep Its Turnovers In Single Digits
Auburn does just about everything well. But one area they have not excelled to this point in the season is forcing turnovers. The Tigers are are forcing turnovers on just 17.1% of defensive possessions.
Turnovers have been an off-and-on issue for Tennessee this season and that’s particularly been the case in a handful of SEC games. The Vols’ rank 12th out of 16 in offensive turnover rate in SEC games this season.
Tennessee can not afford to have turnover issues persist in this game if they’re going to win. And it should prove as a good barometer for where this team is at when it comes to handling a big time environment and not letting it affect them.
Can Zakai Zeigler And Chaz Lanier Play Like First Team All-SEC Players?
This is, on some level, a very simplified and basic take. But if you’re going to beat the No. 1 team in the country on the road then you’re best players have to play like superstars.
For Tennessee that means point guard Zakai Zeigler and shooting guard Chaz Lanier have to be dominant in this game. Zeigler has to be in complete control of the game, taking care of the basketball, hitting shots and making life incredible difficult on Auburn’s backcourt.
Lanier has to build off a strong game against Mississippi State and give Tennessee 20-plus points on a relatively efficient shooting performance while taking care of the basketball.
Tennessee getting those type of performances might not be enough for them to win, but it would be a positive sign for this Volunteer team as life continues to get more-and-more difficult.