PHILADELPHIA — Ja’Kobi Gillespie walked to the line to shoot two free throws with the game all but over. Bishop Boswell walked to the Vol fan section and calmly raised his arms and hollered “come on” to the big orange faithful.
The Vols played their most complete performance of the season at the right time, defeating Virginia 79-72 to advance to the Sweet 16 for a fourth straight season. Here’s three quick takeaways on the victory.
Role Players Gave Tennessee Fantastic Minutes
Bishop Boswell had never made more than two three-pointers in a game in his career. But Boswell hit a triple on the opening possession of the game and made three in the game’s first 15 minutes. He finished with four made triples and score 13 points while also making an impact in a number of ways besides his shooting.
Most notably was his ability to handle ball pressure while running Tennessee’s offense for extended stretches. The sophomore guard did not turn it over while dishing out a career-high nine assists
Boswell wasn’t the only Tennessee role player who performed really well. Jaylen Carey was thrust into a bigger role as JP Estrella battled foul trouble and turned in one of the best games of his season. Carey totaled 10 points.
Getting offensive front court production has been a major key and inconsistency for Tennessee this season. Carey, Estrella and Felix Okpara combined for 27 points— an especially solid number considering Virginia’s interior defense.
Tennessee had five separate players score in double figures. It was as balanced a scoring performance as Tennessee has had all season.
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A Tale Of Two Halves Taking Care Of The Ball
Turnovers have been an achilles heel for Tennessee and it was the one area they really struggled against Miami (Ohio) on Friday. But the Vols came out the gates and did a great job taking care of the basketball.
Tennessee turned the ball over just one time in the first half and it was a dead ball turnover that allowed the Vols to still set their defense on the other end. But the turnover bug cost Tennessee in the second half as they coughed it up nine times.
They were multiple costly turnovers for Tennessee late in the game. Nate Ament ran the base line when it was not a made basket, giving Virginia a free possession that led to a turnover. The Vols had back-to-back turnovers at one point when Virginia was making a run.
It felt like any time Tennessee had a chance to truly get some separation, they had a brutal turnover.
With Virginia bolstering a front line good enough to mitigate Tennessee’s often massive rebounding advantage, it was integral that the Vols took care of the basketball. They did a decent job and overcame some costly timed turnovers.
Tennessee Got Just Enough Stops Late
The Vols played strong defense in the first half, holding the Cavaliers to 31 points and contesting about every shot.
But Virginia toasted the Vols’ for much of the second half. The Cavaliers had a stretch where they scored on eight straight possessions and it was often easy with open looks. Virginia scored 35 points in just over the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Down the stretch, however, Tennessee got just enough stops. After Thijs De Ridder hit a three to give Virginia a one-point lead with 2:03 to play, the Vols got three straight crucial stops. Felix Okpara played great defense on a Dallin Hall drive and finished the possession with a rebound.
There were some fortunate missed shots by Jacari White but Tennessee got stops on four of the games final five possessions to get to the finish line.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee advances to the Sweet 16 where they will face two-seed Iowa State next Friday night in Chicago. The exact tipoff time and broadcast details are not yet set.
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