CHICAGO — Tennessee basketball is one win away from its first Final Four appearance in program history. But standing in the Vols’ way is one-seed Michigan. The Wolverines have been one of the nation’s best teams all season while Tennessee has played extremely well in the last two weeks.
Here’s four keys for Tennessee to pull the upset and knock off Michigan on Sunday afternoon.
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Survive The First Eight Minutes
Last season against Houston, the Cougars jumped on Tennessee early and put them in a hole they were never able to recover from. Michigan is more than capable of doing the same thing to Tennessee. The Wolverines are elite defensively and do a good job of scoring quick baskets.
Combine that with what projects to be a pro-Michigan crowd and there’s a real path to the Wolverines jumping on Tennessee early.
The Vols don’t need to be leading at the second media timeout but they need to be right in the game. Don’t give yourself tough sledding from the jump.
Drag Michigan Into Long Possessions
Michigan forces its opponent into long possessions but wants to find open looks quickly on offense. The Wolverines play with the 14th fastest pace on the offensive end of the court. Tennessee needs to take away quick scoring opportunities.
That’s something the Vols typically do a good job of. It would force Michigan to play in a half court against a strong set defense. It would also force the Wolverines guards, who are shakier than their big men, to play make more in late shot clock scenarios.
Tennessee is at its best dragging opponents into the mud with them. That’s what they need to do against Michigan.
Match Michigan’s Physicality Inside
Michigan is one of the few teams nationally that has the same size and length that Tennessee has inside. They play very physically and defend the rim at an elite rate.
Tennessee’s front line can not back away from that physicality. They have to bring it right back at the Wolverines. The Vols need to make Michigan’s touches in the paint difficult and must win on the glass the way they have so much this season.
On the other end, Tennessee has to finish when it gets good looks at the rim. They will be too few and far between to squander.
Defend The Three-Point Line
Michigan is a good three-point shooting team that plays inside out. They aren’t going to bomb three-pointers like Virginia or Alabama, but they are capable of knocking down outside looks. That’s especially been the case in the NCAA Tournament where they have made double-digit three-pointers in each of their last three games.
If Michigan stays hot from three-point range it will be extremely difficult for Tennessee to keep up in this game.
The Wolverines made eight or fewer triples in each of their three losses. They shot under 33% from three in those losses. Michigan is good enough to win when they don’t shoot well. But they’re near impossible to beat when they do shoot well.
