Tennessee Basketball Impresses Tom Izzo in Exhibition Win Against Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Legendary Michigan State coach, Tom Izzo, reflected on his past matchups with Tennessee basketball coach, Rick Barnes, reminiscing about their enduring friendship that began when Barnes coached at Texas. As a result, Izzo boldly declared that the Vols have what it takes to be a Final Four team.

In an exhibition game at Breslin Center, No. 9 Tennessee emerged victorious with a close 89-88 win against No. 4 Michigan State. Despite the game not counting officially, it solidified Izzo’s belief in the Vols’ potential. Prior to the game, Izzo already regarded them as a top-five team, but their performance raised the stakes even higher.

Why Tom Izzo believes in Tennessee’s Final Four aspirations

Izzo has faced Barnes’ teams ten times in the past, and in this exhibition game, he observed a distinct difference in the current Tennessee roster. He specifically noted the team’s increased depth compared to previous years.

During the game, seven Vols played at least 14 minutes, exemplifying the team’s depth. Transfers Jordan Gainey and Dalton Knecht stood out, each playing 34 minutes and leading the team with 20 and 28 points, respectively.

Furthermore, Tennessee’s formidable lineup did not include preseason All-SEC guards Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler. Vescovi was absent due to a family matter in Uruguay, while Zeigler was recovering from ACL surgery. With the potential contributions of these two players and the freshman group, Tennessee possesses immense talent.

Tennessee’s versatility and adaptability

Against Michigan State, the Vols demonstrated their flexibility by employing various lineups, including a four-guard lineup with Josiah-Jordan James starting at the four position. Izzo acknowledged that this versatility would greatly benefit Tennessee, especially when encountering different styles of play during tournament matches.

Impressed by Tobe Awaka’s physicality and Jonas Aidoo’s rebounding abilities, Izzo praised the team’s interchangeability between different players and positions. With an array of shooting guards and small forwards, Tennessee possesses both size and athleticism.

Shooting prowess of Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey

Izzo commended Knecht’s defensive performance, describing it as his best and most challenging game. Additionally, he was impressed by Knecht’s shooting efficiency, making 3 out of 9 three-point attempts and shooting 8 for 16 overall, along with a 9-for-11 performance from the free-throw line.

Similarly, Gainey showcased his shooting skills, going 4-for-7 from three-point range and 6-for-10 overall. Izzo emphasized the importance of their shot selection and efficiency throughout the game. Overall, six Vols made three-pointers, showcasing Tennessee’s shooting depth.

Ultimately, Izzo believes that Tennessee is well-coached by Barnes, an experienced coach who has taken teams to the Final Four eight times. He considers the Vols’ roster capable of achieving the program’s first Final Four appearance.

If Izzo’s assessment holds true, Tennessee basketball enthusiasts have much to look forward to this season.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. For more of his coverage, you can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. For complete access to his content, consider subscribing to Knoxville News Sentinel’s digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball is Final Four team to Michigan State’s Tom Izzo