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It was just over a month ago that Tennessee had just lost to
Texas A&M for the second time this season, and in nearly every Vols fans
eyes, Cuonzo Martin was dead in the water. The Tennessee basketball team was
going nowhere, and Cuonzo Martin had to go somewhere, anywhere, other than back
to Knoxville. Oh how things change. Just barely over a month later, the same
Tennessee Volunteers are in the Sweet 16. They are one of sixteen teams still
playing for a National Championship.
I have no shame in admitting that after the A&M loss, I
was fully on board with the “fire Cuonzo” train, and honestly, if the season
ended that day, there is no way anyone in the world could have convinced me he
deserved to keep his job. The season at that point in time, was a downright
disappointment. To me, I saw no hope of a turnaround because in three years at
Tennessee, Martin had done nothing to show me that a turnaround was possible.
Then out of nowhere, Tennessee rattled off an unbelievable stretch of games
entering the SEC Tournament, and they weren’t just beating teams. They were
hammering them. For the first time in three years under Cuonzo Martin, I saw a
glimmer of hope for Tennessee basketball. They proceeded to the semi-finals of
the SEC Tournament where they lost a very close game to top ranked Florida, and
even in defeat, I was very proud to be a Tennessee fan.
Once the Vols were selected to the NCAA Tournament, I think
a lot of people, myself included, thought they were very capable of making a
deep run. I picked them to make the Sweet 16 by beating Duke, and still think
they would have if they played them, but I have to admit, it is the WAY they
have made their run that has impressed me. Literally every single player on the
entire Tennessee roster has raised his level of play in Tennessee’s three NCAA
Tournament wins thus far. Josh Richardson has been nothing short of spectacular
and as great as Jarnell Stokes has been all season long, even he, has taken
things to a new level in this tournament. After a narrow escape in the first
four/play in/whatever you want to call it game against Iowa, Tennessee has
basically slaughtered both UMass and Mercer. In my opinion, they are the most
physical team left in the tournament, and the best rebounding team remaining as
well. Their defense is among the best in the country, and they are well
balanced on offense. Their only flaw at the moment is their inconsistency from
beyond the arc. If Tennessee continues playing the way they have thus far in
the tournament, and starts knocking down a few more shots from outside, there
is no reason to think they can’t continue to make a serious run in this
tournament.
That being said, Michigan is a very tough matchup for
Tennessee. It will be a battle of contrasting styles to say the least. Last
years’ national runner up does not expect to lose in the Sweet 16, their one
goal is a National Championship, and they are fully equipped to accomplish it.
They are an offensive juggernaut, and can put points up from anywhere on the
floor. However, as they showed against Wofford, they can also win the low
scoring, grind it out, defensive game as well. They are the complete package. A
key aspect in Tennessee’s defense is Josh Richardson. He has been able to
defend the opponents’ best player, and make him a near non-factor in many games
for Tennessee this season. The problem with Michigan is they don’t have a clear
cut best offensive player. Expect Richardson to spend a lot of time defending
Sophomore Guard Nik Stauskas, but even if Richardson is able to take Stauskas
out of the game or limit his scoring, Michigan has multiple guys capable of
picking up the scoring load. Michigan also shoots the three pointer really
well. Tennessee will have to do a nice job finding and keying in on shooters
defensively to win. It is going to take a complete team effort on that end of
the floor. All that being said, Tennessee has a major size and strength
advantage over the Wolverines and this is a game where Michigan will likely
have to switch up their rotation quite a bit. Sophomore Jon Horford usually
plays just 10-15 minutes a game, but he is likely the Wolverines only hope and
containing Tennessee on the glass. At 6’10 he has shown he can be a good
rebounder when given the chance, and Friday night should be his biggest chance
of the season. Other than Horford, just one player in Michigan’s usual 8 man
rotation is 6’8 or taller. Against a team like Tennessee, this has to be a
major area of concern for Head Coach John Beilein. I am having a tough time picking
a winner, and wouldn’t be surprised with either outcome. Hopefully the Vols can
find a way to limit Michigan’s outside scoring and take advantage of their
miss-match down low. Friday can’t get here soon enough.
Shaee Flatt
Boy Meets Sports
3/23/2014
Twitter: @shaee_flatt
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