No. 11 Tennessee, buoyed by defense, meets Montana
No. 11 Tennessee, buoyed by defense, meets Montana
The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers are feeling good about how they're playing this season heading into their game with Montana on Wednesday night in Knoxville, Tenn.
Especially on defense.
In their most recent game, the Volunteers dominated Louisville 77-55 on Saturday to improve to 2-0.
A key player in the victory was Jahmai Mashack, who scored only three points but grabbed seven rebounds in displaying his versatility as a defender.
Mashack also tallied three steals to help lead Tennessee's strong effort.
"I mean, he was just dominant," Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said of Mashack. "And he does all the things that go into winning. And his effort was great. I thought everyone's effort defensively was there."
Tennessee forced Louisville to shoot only 26.7 percent from the field, and opponents are shooting only 34.8 percent against the Vols this season.
Offensively, Tennessee has shown how dangerous it can be, especially with veteran guards Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier leading the way.
Zeigler scored 19 in the win over the host Cardinals, including 11 in the final 13 minutes, and is averaging 16.0 points per outing.
Lanier, a fifth-year standout, leads the team at 18.5 points per game. He scored a season-best 19 against Louisville. Felix Okpara also scored in double figures, chipping in 10 points.
Lanier told reporters after the game that the fact that Tennessee played so well on the road in a tough environment is huge for the program moving forward as it aims to contend for a title this season.
"It's just toughness," Lanier said. "Bottom line is it just shows how tough we are."
Montana (2-1) dominated Northwest Indian College 94-44 on Sunday but now will face its biggest test of the year so far as it goes on the road to face a Southeastern Conference opponent.
The Grizzlies allowed their fewest points since 2021 in Sunday's win and had a 50-26 rebounding advantage. Nine players scored for Montana, including Kai Johnson, who contributed a team-high 22 points. He is averaging a team-best 16.3 per game this season.
The Grizzlies will face their second Power Five school of the year after losing 79-48 to Oregon in their opener on Nov. 8.
Montana is feeling good about its direction but knows it's far from the team it wants to be at this point in the season.
"We've had a lot of guys in and out," Grizzlies coach Travis DeCuire said. "We've had multiple guys miss a lot of practices. I think we're looking at three guys in the rotation that have missed 10 or more practices. For chemistry, for flow, that's playing a bit into where we're a little behind where we want to be right now."
Matching the Volunteers won't be easy, especially with Tennessee's ability to knock down 3-point shots in addition to the team's defensive toughness.
The Vols made 10 3-pointers against Louisville -- out of 19 attempts -- and have connected 18 times from 3-point range this season.
--Field Level Media
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
5:38 | Â | Grizzlies 30 second timeout | Â | |
5:38 | +1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 26-29 | |
5:38 | +1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 25-29 | |
5:38 | +1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 24-29 | |
5:38 | Â | Cameron Carr shooting foul (Money Williams draws the foul) | Â | |
5:56 | +2 | Cade Phillips makes two point layup (Cameron Carr assists) | 23-29 | |
6:22 | +2 | Te'Jon Sawyer makes two point layup | 23-27 | |
6:42 | +1 | Cameron Carr makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 21-27 | |
6:42 | +1 | Cameron Carr makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 21-26 | |
6:42 | Â | Kai Johnson shooting foul (Cameron Carr draws the foul) | Â | |
7:04 | +2 | Te'Jon Sawyer makes two point layup (Money Williams assists) | 21-25 | |
7:14 | +1 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 19-25 | |
7:14 | +1 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 19-24 | |
7:14 | Â | Amari Jedkins personal foul (Igor Milicic Jr. draws the foul) | Â | |
7:23 | Â | Money Williams turnover (out of bounds) | Â | |
7:23 | Â | Jordan Gainey turnover (lost ball) (Money Williams steals) | Â | |
7:30 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
7:30 | Â | Zack Davidson personal foul | Â | |
7:31 | Â | Volunteers defensive rebound | Â | |
7:33 | Â | Amari Jedkins misses three point jump shot | Â | |
8:00 | +2 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes two point layup | 19-23 | |
8:09 | Â | Zack Davidson turnover (lost ball) (Jordan Gainey steals) | Â | |
8:33 | Â | Felix Okpara turnover (lost ball) (Zack Davidson steals) | Â | |
8:55 | Â | Cameron Carr defensive rebound | Â | |
8:55 | Â | Brandon Whitney misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | Â | |
8:55 | +1 | Brandon Whitney makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 19-21 | |
8:55 | Â | Zakai Zeigler shooting foul (Brandon Whitney draws the foul) | Â | |
9:04 | +1 | Jahmai Mashack makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 18-21 | |
9:04 | +1 | Jahmai Mashack makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 18-20 | |
9:04 | Â | Amari Jedkins shooting foul (Jahmai Mashack draws the foul) | Â | |
9:18 | Â | Felix Okpara defensive rebound | Â | |
9:20 | Â | Joe Pridgen misses two point layup | Â | |
9:32 | Â | Chaz Lanier turnover (offensive foul) | Â | |
9:32 | Â | Chaz Lanier offensive foul | Â | |
9:45 | Â | Chaz Lanier defensive rebound | Â | |
9:47 | Â | Money Williams misses three point jump shot | Â | |
10:13 | Â | Kai Johnson defensive rebound | Â | |
10:13 | Â | Cade Phillips misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | Â | |
10:13 | Â | Cade Phillips misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | Â | |
10:13 | Â | Joe Pridgen shooting foul (Cade Phillips draws the foul) | Â | |
10:39 | Â | Zakai Zeigler defensive rebound | Â | |
10:41 | Â | Te'Jon Sawyer misses three point jump shot | Â | |
11:05 | Â | Volunteers turnover (shot clock violation) | Â | |
11:05 | Â | Volunteers offensive rebound | Â | |
11:07 | Â | Zakai Zeigler misses two point jump shot | Â | |
11:41 | +2 | Te'Jon Sawyer makes two point layup (Joe Pridgen assists) | 18-19 | |
11:51 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
11:51 | Â | Chaz Lanier personal foul | Â | |
11:53 | Â | Grizzlies offensive rebound | Â | |
11:55 | Â | Kai Johnson misses three point jump shot | Â | |
12:06 | Â | Brandon Whitney defensive rebound | Â | |
12:08 | Â | Jordan Gainey misses three point jump shot | Â | |
12:14 | Â | Money Williams personal foul | Â | |
12:25 | +3 | Money Williams makes three point jump shot (Austin Patterson assists) | 16-19 | |
12:29 | Â | Te'Jon Sawyer offensive rebound | Â | |
12:31 | Â | Amari Jedkins misses three point jump shot | Â | |
12:48 | +3 | Zakai Zeigler makes three point jump shot (Chaz Lanier assists) | 13-19 | |
13:04 | +2 | Money Williams makes two point layup | 13-16 | |
13:18 | Â | TV timeout | Â | |
13:18 | Â | Jordan Gainey turnover (lost ball) (Money Williams steals) | Â | |
13:33 | +2 | Austin Patterson makes two point layup | 11-16 | |
13:44 | Â | Jahmai Mashack turnover (bad pass) (Joe Pridgen steals) | Â | |
13:54 | Â | Zakai Zeigler offensive rebound | Â | |
13:56 | Â | Jahmai Mashack misses three point jump shot | Â | |
14:06 | Â | Jahmai Mashack defensive rebound | Â | |
14:08 | Â | Austin Patterson misses three point jump shot | Â | |
14:33 | Â | Joe Pridgen defensive rebound | Â | |
14:35 | Â | Igor Milicic Jr. misses three point jump shot | Â | |
14:41 | Â | Jordan Gainey offensive rebound | Â | |
14:43 | Â | Zakai Zeigler misses three point jump shot | Â | |
15:06 | +3 | Money Williams makes three point jump shot (Joe Pridgen assists) | 9-16 | |
15:25 | +2 | J.P. Estrella makes two point layup (Igor Milicic Jr. assists) | 6-16 | |
15:35 | Â | Money Williams turnover (lost ball) (Jordan Gainey steals) | Â | |
16:01 | +2 | Jahmai Mashack makes two point jump shot (J.P. Estrella assists) | 6-14 | |
16:18 | Â | Volunteers defensive rebound | Â | |
16:20 | Â | Brandon Whitney misses two point jump shot | Â | |
16:53 | +3 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes three point jump shot (Zakai Zeigler assists) | 6-12 | |
17:02 | +3 | Money Williams makes three point jump shot (Te'Jon Sawyer assists) | 6-9 | |
17:11 | Â | Zakai Zeigler personal foul | Â | |
17:41 | +3 | Zakai Zeigler makes three point jump shot (Chaz Lanier assists) | 3-9 | |
17:45 | Â | Jahmai Mashack defensive rebound | Â | |
17:47 | Â | Te'Jon Sawyer misses two point layup | Â | |
17:56 | Â | Kai Johnson offensive rebound | Â | |
17:58 | Â | Kai Johnson misses two point jump shot | Â | |
18:31 | +2 | Jahmai Mashack makes two point jump shot | 3-6 | |
18:49 | Â | Felix Okpara defensive rebound | Â | |
18:51 | Â | Kai Johnson misses three point jump shot | Â | |
19:05 | +1 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 3-4 | |
19:05 | +1 | Igor Milicic Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 3-3 | |
19:05 | Â | Te'Jon Sawyer shooting foul (Igor Milicic Jr. draws the foul) | Â | |
19:16 | +3 | Kai Johnson makes three point jump shot (Brandon Whitney assists) | 3-2 | |
19:34 | +2 | Chaz Lanier makes two point jump shot | 0-2 | |
19:39 | Â | Kai Johnson personal foul | Â | |
20:00 | Â | Te'Jon Sawyer vs. Felix Okpara (Volunteers gains possession) | Â |
Min. Per Game | ||
Pts. Per Game | ||
Ast. Per Game | ||
Reb. Per Game | ||
Field Goal % | ||
Three Point % | ||
Free Throw % |
 | Grizzlies 30 second timeout | 5:38 |
+ 1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 5:38 |
+ 1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 5:38 |
+ 1 | Money Williams makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 5:38 |
 | Cameron Carr shooting foul (Money Williams draws the foul) | 5:38 |
+ 2 | Cade Phillips makes two point layup (Cameron Carr assists) | 5:56 |
+ 2 | Te'Jon Sawyer makes two point layup | 6:22 |
+ 1 | Cameron Carr makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 6:42 |
+ 1 | Cameron Carr makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 6:42 |
 | Kai Johnson shooting foul (Cameron Carr draws the foul) | 6:42 |
+ 2 | Te'Jon Sawyer makes two point layup (Money Williams assists) | 7:04 |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Points | 26 | 29 |
Field Goals | 9-20 (45.0%) | 9-14 (64.3%) |
3-Pointers | 4-11 (36.4%) | 3-7 (42.9%) |
Free Throws | 4-5 (80.0%) | 8-10 (80.0%) |
Total Rebounds | 6 | 12 |
Offensive | 2 | 2 |
Defensive | 3 | 7 |
Team | 1 | 3 |
Assists | 6 | 6 |
Steals | 4 | 2 |
Blocks | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 3 | 5 |
Fouls | 8 | 5 |
Technicals | 0 | 0 |
Key Players | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
00
|
. Williams G | 7.3 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 4.3 APG | 21.4 FG% |
00
|
. Milicic Jr. F | 7.5 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 0.5 APG | 60.0 FG% |
Top Scorers | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M. Williams G | 13 PTS | 0 REB | 1 AST | ||
I. Milicic Jr. F | 9 PTS | 0 REB | 1 AST |
On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
M. Williams | 14 | 0 | 1 | 4/5 | 3/4 | 3/3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
T. Sawyer | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3/5 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A. Patterson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
B. Whitney | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 1/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
J. Pridgen | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
M. Williams | 14 | 0 | 1 | 4/5 | 3/4 | 3/3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
T. Sawyer | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3/5 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A. Patterson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
B. Whitney | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 1/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
J. Pridgen | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
On Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
A. Jedkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/2 | 0/2 | 0/0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Z. Davidson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
M. Moore | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
C. Henderson | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
C. Dick | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
J. Bradtke | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A. Shoff | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
T. Thompson | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
J. Foy | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
J. Dargan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 26 | 5 | 6 | 9/20 | 4/11 | 4/5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
I. Milicic Jr. | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2/3 | 1/2 | 4/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
J. Mashack | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2/3 | 0/1 | 2/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
C. Carr | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 2/2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
J. Gainey | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
F. Okpara | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
On Court | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
I. Milicic Jr. | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2/3 | 1/2 | 4/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
J. Mashack | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2/3 | 0/1 | 2/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
C. Carr | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 2/2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
J. Gainey | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
F. Okpara | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
On Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB |
C. Phillips | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
J. Estrella | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
G. Hurst | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
C. Duncan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
G. Paull | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
B. Boswell | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
B. Linnemeyer | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 29 | 9 | 6 | 9/14 | 3/7 | 8/10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 |