Tennessee basketball is looking to refocus after one of its biggest wins of the season when a Jahmai Mashack buzzer-beater gave the Vols a victory over Alabama.
The challenge remains difficult as Tennessee faces Ole Miss in Oxford in its penultimate game of the regular season.
Ahead of the matchup, Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky and shooting guard Chaz Lanier met with the media and discussed the nail biting win over Alabama, a strong Rebels team and much more. Here’s everything the duo said.
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Gregg Polinsky
On Tennessee going 7-1 over its last eight games during this stretch run in the SEC
“Yeah, I just looked at that the other day, kind of looking at everybody where they are, schedules, what’s remaining. Because obviously you want to get to Friday where you get the double buy for the (SEC Tournament). I think our guys have just found a way to win, whether it’s at (Texas) A&M we really shot the ball well, at LSU we kind of just gutted that one out. And then obviously Alabama, just to go over the last three, we also gutted that one out and just found a way to win against a really, really good team.”
On the makeup of this Tennessee Basketball team, that any player could make a game-changing play
“Just that we have a bunch of selfless guys. And whether a guy is in foul trouble or another guy needs to step up or, I think that probably was best illustrated in the Florida game here. We were able to beat a terrific Florida team with, what, seven guys. And I think it just showed our guys that we can do this. Shack (Jahmai Mashack) had that great statement (before the Florida game), we got all we need right here on this day. And we’re going to get it done. So I think the maturity of the seniors we have on this team, and the guys that have been here a little bit longer than others, I think gives a level of confidence to the other players.”
On if it can be a challenge for a team to come back from an emotional win like the Alabama game on Saturday
“We’re going to see. You’re always a little concerned when, that was a very euphoric win. It was something I’ll never forget and I’m sure a lot of people that were in this building — players, fans, media — it was a magical moment here. But yeah, we know though. I think again the maturity (of this team), knowing that Ole Miss is a really good team. Stylistically, I was thinking about this driving in today, that Ole Miss plays Kentucky and is up big in that game. And depending on who you play, matchups are really critical. So how do we match up with different teams. And we’re going to find that out here. It seems like Ole Miss will play a little bit smaller and so forth and that might lend itself to us being able to mix and match our lineups. So we’ll see how this one runs on Wednesday.”
On why Tennessee’s Jordan Gainey has been so much more affective to the rim this season
“I think just a mindset. And him knowing also, and talking with him about, Zakai (Zeigler) I think is our quickest guy, but back in my, I call it my old days, I used to call guys de-accelerators to the rim and accelerators to the rim. So some guys are like quick first step, and then they kind of probe their way through, Euro step. Jordan Gainey is our fastest accelerator to the rack. He is a guy that, and I think making him realize that, and him saying it and showing it to him and then talking about it with him. Don’t sell yourself short. You don’t have to settle, man. You are fast-on-fast to the rim that he has taken that to heart. He still has a great mid-range game. He’s still very capable from three, but I think him getting downhill, he knows our team needs that. We don’t have a bunch of guys that do that at a high level and he does.”
On something he’s learned from this senior class
“Yeah, I’ve learned that Saturday, so I think it’s my senior night as well. It was a joke. Isn’t that funny? It was great. I said at Georgia Southern, if they had just told me that they were going to fire me. I’d have had Cindy (his wife) bring me out roses and stuff.
But anyway, this group has been amazing. I mean, everyone uses the word resilient. I would say that this group has not hoped to win games, but expected to win games. And I think there’s a huge difference, in my experience, watching it at any sport at any level. Teams that consistently win when they don’t play their best and you’re trying to figure out why because there’s some teams that expect to win and they’re going to just do those little itty bitty things that aren’t that noticeable. And this senior group has done that.”
On what makes Jordan Gainey so good in the midrange, that being a dying art
“Well one, Coach Barnes doesn’t think it’s phased out, so that helps. So there’s confidence to take that shot. And two, I think he and Z and those guys playing out of ball screens have become so much more sophisticated about what they’re doing. Snaking it, getting guys on your hip, having some patience, seeing if the big reacts, is he giving you separation? Is he coming up? Is it a lob? Is it a shot? Those are all split second decisions that I think just through doing it more and more and having the confidence to do it has allowed those guys to have exceptional years, particularly Jordan and making that play.”
On what stands out about Ole Miss
“Yeah, defensively they’re still really good. You know, Coach (Mark) Adams came back there with Coach Beard and they still ping you on the side. They’re gonna switch everything, which is always an issue. It’s always hard to get used to. They do a little matchup zone, you know, they’re gonna press some, they’re gonna change things up and you know and they’ve, like most of us, they’re going to play with more enthusiasm at home. We expect a sell out and this is a big game for them. We’re all fighting for seating. I think Ole Miss is obviously securely in the NCAA Tournament, but now you’re looking at fighting for seeding.”
On if the coaching staff has more confidence in the team because they’ve come from behind to win several games, or if it makes them worry:
“Well, you’d rather be up eight (or) nine (and) stretch it out, but it’s not worrisome. I think that, again, you guys have brought it up in here already; the poise, the leadership. Coach (Barnes) has a calmness about him. I mean, you guys see him. Like, he gets on guys and he addresses the things he has to address, but he also allows guys to talk in the timeout. And I think all of that is important because then they feel ownership and they feel the opportunity to speak and to solve the equation. I think we’ve got an older group, and when you have that, a lot of times it may not work out, but at least they have the recipe to try to get there.”
On if he feels Igor Milicic Jr. is pressing offensively
“I don’t think he’s pressing. I think he is trying to do what Coach has asked of him. You know, Igor has a unique ability at 6-10 to facilitate, and we all know there’s a lot of pressure on Zakai to do that. Igor is trying to alleviate some of that. Coach wants him to do that. So I think what Igor’s trying to figure out, we’ve all seen him score the ball. That’s something he’s always been able to do, but how do I connect? And that was Igor’s word yesterday talking to Coach. Like, how do I connect and be productive and help this basketball team scoring, but yet facilitating, and you know, being able to play out on the floor and making reads and getting guy shots because that’s a unique thing at his size and skillset that we have not had here. We’ve had a lot of things from different guys, but we haven’t had that on that kind of level. So I think that’s more of it, him trying to figure it out. And again, we gotta remember, like he’s been here less than a year, so hopefully he’s going to connect it tomorrow night.”
On what stands out about Ole Miss’ offense
“I think it’s six guys that are in double-digit scoring, so they don’t need just one guy to get it done. They truly do it with a team effort. So we can’t put too much emphasis on any one player. We have to do what we do and do it really well at a high level and then, you know, hopefully do a much better job rebounding the basketball than we did against a really physical, athletic Alabama team here on Saturday.”
Chaz Lanier
On the moment Jahmai Mashack’s shot went in
“I mean, that moment was just spectacular. It was crazy. I’ve never been a part of anything like that. I mean, when he took the shot, I was getting ready for a rebound, if there was any time left on the clock, but when it went in, I just went over there and jumped on his shoulders. I mean, those are the special moments that you come to Tennessee for, and it was just something that we’ll all remember forever.”
On if he came to Tennessee to play in meaningful games down the stretch
“Yeah. I mean, when Rod (Clark) was recruiting me, he was just like, man, if you come here we’re going to win. You’re going to be a part of something that’s bigger than you. It’s just gonna be a whole special experience for your last year. And I just knew joining this team that it was special. Everybody on the team is super caring and loving. We love on each other all the time, we laugh, we joke all the time. And we win at the end of the day. So it’s just a very special program, and the culture here is different than anywhere else I’ve ever been.”
On if a finish like they had against Alabama can take them to another level
“I definitely think so. I mean, we are still learning each other and still growing together. We’ve been growing together since the summer, and we’re still learning and figuring out the knicks and kinks with each other. So we definitely have some ways to go, and it’s just a super special team.”
On if he played with Ole Miss’ Malik Dia in high school at Ensworth
“Yeah, I played with him. I think it was two years. He’s two years younger than me. He’s a really good player. He’s big, physical, he can shoot the ball. He can stretch the floor. He’s really good player.”
On what’s similar and different about Dia’s game now compared to then
“Back in the day, he really used to want to play like KD and really dribble. He used to want to do everything at Ensworth. So I don’t think the coach down there is gonna let him do everything like that. But I mean, he still is able to shoot the ball, get his teammates involved and play make for everybody.”
On if he’s more comfortable on the road now then earlier in the season
“I mean, it’s definitely good to go on the road and get a few wins, but every SEC environment is going to be tough. So we’re going to go in there with that mentality that we’re going to have to put together for 40 minutes. So we all know what this is.”
On Jahmai Mashack raising money for Second Harvest after his game winner
“I mean, that’s just the type of person he is. He’s just a super caring person. I mean, he’s a great basketball player, but the stuff he does off the floor is amazing as well. I mean, he’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. He’ll boost your day whatever you need him to do. Jahmai, he’s gonna be that dude for you. So he’s just an amazing human being. All around.”
On his recent bump in rebounding numbers
“I mean, this is what the team needs me to do. We all have a job when we go out there, so I know the bigs are, the task at hand for them is to hit those other bigs on their team. So it’s the guards responsibility to come down and get those rebounds. So I just do what the team needs me to do.”
On if he thinks he, Igor and Felix are still finding new ways to fit in
“I mean, none of us have it all figured out. We all still learning and trying to get better for the team. And Igor is just a super special player. I mean, he has one of the best skill sets on the team. I feel like he can do everything. He can stretch the floor, get in there and rebound. He’s super physical. I mean, he’s like, 6-foot-10 so he can do pretty much everything. So I mean, we’re all still figuring it out, and that’s why I feel like we have the potential to continue to grow and continue to be a great team.”
On guarding Jordan Gainey in practice
“I mean, Jordan, he’s super special as well. He’s super shifty, and the way he plays in ball screens is amazing. So being able to guard him is a treat for me, because I get to get better on defense, and he’s just super crafty.”
On if it’s a good thing to still be figuring things out this time of year
“We know that we can hang our head on defense, night in and night out. And we know where some points can come from on the team and everything, but I feel like that’s a good thing because it continues to show that we can get better. I mean, we’ve been winning, so I feel like we still have some ways to get better and grow. So I feel like it’s a good thing.”
On if Igor Milicic is having confidence issues
“I feel like he, it may be a little bit of confidence, but I feel like he does have a lot of confidence in what he does. He’s such a special player. He can shoot the ball and pass the ball and play make. So sometimes he gets caught between a little bit. But we need him to just be him and not overthink anything. He’s definitely, he’s getting better, and we’re all getting better. So he’s been great. He’s been great.”
