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Fast Break: No. 1 Tennessee remains unbeaten as SEC play looms thanks to a 67-52 win over Norfolk State

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•12/31/24•

Brent_Hubbs

Tennessee Fast Break
Credit: On3 Staff

Top ranked Tennessee closed out the 2024 years and their non-conference schedule unbeaten as the Vols beat Norfolk State 67-52 Tuesday afternoon.

Following an 8 day break which included a trip home for Christmas the Vols came flying out of the blocks or at least Chaz Lanier did. The transfer scored 14 points in the first nine minutes, going 4-for-6 from the 3-point line during his red-hot start, and finished with 24 to lead the Vols.

Lanier and the Vols didn’t sustain the fast start. Tennessee managed just 11 points in the final 9:34 of the first half, going ice-cold from the floor. They closed the first half shooting 3-of-12 from the floor.

For more on the win, Grant Ramey and Rob Lewis have the Exterior Home Solutions Fast Break.

13-0 Vols off to second best start in program history

Tennessee’s win on Tuesday, the 13th straight to start the season, gave the Vols the second best start to a season in program history. Tennessee matched the 1915-16 team’s 12-0 start in the win over MTSU last week and will now look to tie the program record on Saturday against Arkansas. 

The 1922-23 Vols started 14-0 in a 17-game season, beating Camp Benning, Maryville, Tusculum, Milligan, Georgetown (Ky.), Centre, Transylvania, Centenary and Emory & Henry along the way. 

Tennessee went undefeated in non-conference play for just the second time during the Rick Barnes era. The 2020-21 team went 6-0 during the COVID-altered season. 

Other Tennessee teams that went undefeated in non-conference play include 1997-98 (11-0), 1980-81 (8-0) and 1956-57 (8-0).

Up Next: No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 23 Arkansas, Saturday

No. 1 Tennessee starts SEC play with a marquee matchup Saturday against John Calipari and his No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks in a 1 p.m. Eastern Time start (TV: ESPN) at Food City Center.

Arkansas has won six straight games and is led by former Kentucky by former Kentucky forward Adou Theiro, who is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 28.5 minutes per game.

Five-star point guard Boogie Fland is averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 assists in 33.5 minutes per game and former Kentucky guard DJ Wagner is averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 33.9 minutes per game.

Former Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo is averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game at Arkansas.

After Saturday the Vols go on the road for two straight, going to No. 6 Florida on Tuesday and then to Texas on Saturday. Tennessee goes to Auburn on January 25 and hosts Kentucky on January 28, diving headfirst into an SEC schedule that features 14 opponents currently ranked in the top 50 of the NET.

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