Tennessee’s fresh off a nearly 20-point win against a (previously ranked) top-20 opponent, and for most of the game, the Vols’ defense made the Tarheels’ offense look like its whole foot was stuck in tar — not just its heels. Tennessee’s collective defensive effort held UNC to below its season averages in a few key categories:
- Points: 72 (83)
- Effective FG %: 49.1 (56.2)
- Offensive rebounds: 5 (9.3)
And the Vols made it happen without its two-years running highest-rated defender, Josiah-Jordan James. That’s gotta be a net positive for the team, right?