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Jahmai Mashack shares Tennessee's mindset against Arizona offense

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•12/15/22•

BarkleyTruax

Tennessee sophomore wing Jahmai Mashack looks on during a game against Florida Gulf Coast on November 16, 2022 (Tennessee Athletics)
Tennessee sophomore wing Jahmai Mashack looks on during a game against Florida Gulf Coast on November 16, 2022 (Tennessee Athletics)

Saturday plays host to several key college basketball games, but No. 6 Tennessee vs No. 9 Arizona might take the cake for most intriguing. The Volunteers’ elite defense will go against the Wildcats’ top offense in what has been a highly-anticipated heavyweight matchup.

Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack discussed what he expects from one Arizona’s stellar scoring abilities heading into Saturday’s matchup. Of course, Mashack is preparing for this game like any other.

“It is going to be tough. They’re a really good team, but we treat every team the same. We have to come in with the same mindset every game because if we don’t, that’s just going to lead up to not enough balance on the offensive end and the defensive end,” Mashack said Thursday. “So just going into the game knowing that we have to treat every team that same, I think that’s the mindset that we have coming into this one.”

Arizona averages a NCAA-high 92 points per game. They’ve surpassed the century mark on three occasions this year, and they’re coming off a win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi that saw the Wildcats put up 99 points on the Islanders. Still, they haven’t faced a defense like Tennessee’s.

That defensive effort has been on full display all season long. There have been only two teams this season, Colorado and USC, who have scored more than 60 points on the Vols. They’ve held their last five opponents, including ranked Kansas and Maryland teams, to under 53 points, too.

“I think that just in in our DNA, honestly,” Mashack said. “You can’t play for coach [Rick] Barnes without playing defense. I think everybody knows that. I think that was big for us. Just knowing that regardless of who is on the floor, we have to bring that energy. We can’t have a drop-off because that is what we are known for. It also helps that everybody on the team loves to do it. We get energy from having defensive stops.”

Tennessee has a chance to add to its eight-game winning streak with a win over Arizona this weekend. Likewise, the Wildcats are looking to extend their winning streak as well. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN2.