Tennessee-Alabama: Preview and Prediction
The No. 6 Vols (13-4) host Alabama (12-5) on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT in Knoxville at Food City/Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols are looking to stifle Alabama’s high-octane offense and give them their first conference loss.
Can the Vols offense keep pace?
Dalton Knecht has been on a historic streak for the Vols program with back-to-back games with at least 35 or more points. Knecht is averaging 34.3 points and hitting 56.5% from 3-point land in his last three games. His best game was against Florida, scoring 39 points and hitting four 3-pointers out of six attempts.
The Vols will need this form of Dalton Knecht with help from Aidoo and Ziegler, if they want to keep up with Alabama’s high-scoring offense. Alabama is averaging 90.2 points a game, while Tennessee is only averaging 79.1. But, in the last 4 of 5 games, Tennessee’s offense led by Knecht is averaging 86.75 points and only allowing a measly 64.75 points.
Alabama currently has the No.1 scoring offense according to KenPom. The Tide, led by Mark Sears, are shooting 49% from the field and an efficient 39.7% on 3-pointers. Sears also leads the conference averaging 19.6 points a game. He is hitting an eye-watering 47.8% of his 3-pointers and 53.3% from the field.
Tennessee’s elite defense is going to have their work cut out. But, Alabama has not played an elite defense. At least, not as elite as Tennessee’s. The Vols are only allowing 66 points per game. And, this Tennessee squad has played some of the best squads. Tennessee’s elite defense created enough chaos and kept No. 1 at the time Purdue and Kansas under 72 points. If Tennessee’s defense can stop and create offensive turnovers, this Tennessee squad can wipe the floor.
However, if Tennessee suffers from the habitual slow starts and shots not falling they are going to struggle against this Alabama offense. If the Vols playw like they have the last 3 games, they’re going to win. But they’re going to need Knecht and Aidoo to play efficiently and let the notorious Rick Barnes defense create some opportunities.
The Verdict
If the Vols and Knecht can get off to a hot start and the defense can make some plays, this is a huge win for the Vols. If the Vols are again plagued in the first half by shots not sinking, it will be a loss.
Tennessee’s elite defense does give them the edge, and the Vols win a high-scoring shootout 89 - 81. Knecht will have another 35+ point game and re-writes history as Tennessee’s best scorer in recent times.