UT Martin coach: 'I think Tennessee might be the best team in the country'
When UT Martin coach Jeremy Shulman turned on the tape and started breaking down No. 7 Tennessee, he didn’t see North Florida transfer guard Chaz Lanier. He didn’t see Ohio State transfer center Felix Okpara or Charlotte transfer forward Igor Milicic.
He saw the more recognizable faces, like Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack, leading and a new-look Rick Barnes basketball roster that looks like it has been playing together for years.
“I think Tennessee might be the best team in the country,” Shulman said after UT Martin’s 78-35 loss to the Vols Wednesday at Food City Center. “I think Coach Barnes, if he’s not the best coach in the country, he’s one of the best, most underrated coaches in the country. It’s phenomenal with what he’s done.”
‘They’re even better this year. And it shows on film. They are so connected.’
What is most phenomenal, according to Shulman, is how connected these Vols are on the floor, despite so many transfer additions playing such big roles in the rotation.
Lanier had a game-high 18 points Wednesday to lead Tennessee (7-0). Okpara had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his career. Milicic finished one point shy of his own double-double, scoring nine points to go with 13 rebounds.
Defensively, the Vols set a new Thompson-Boling Arena record for fewest points allowed, forced 18 turnovers and held UT Martin to 22.6% shooting from the floor and 19.4% from the 3-point line.
“Obviously the defense is phenomenal,” Shulman said. “It’s them or Houston, best defense in the country. But to me, what stands out so much is how connected they are.”
So connected that Dalton Knecht hasn’t been missed yet. In fact, Shulman added, these Vols might be better than the Tennessee team that Knecht took the Elite Eight back in March.
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“They’re even better this year,” he said. “And it shows on film. They are so connected. There is no weak link defensively. There’s no weak link with not understanding their role. Everyone knows their role to a tee. I’m just so impressed by that team and how it the Coach Barnes coaches it.”
Up Next: No. 7 Tennessee vs. Syracuse, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tennessee moved up to No. 6 in the Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Monday, after the Vols went to The Bahamas last week and won the Baha Mar Championship, beating Virginia by 22 on Thursday and beating Baylor by 15 on Friday.
After the win over UT Martin Wednesday, the Vols are up to No. 2 overall in the KenPom.com ratings, ranked No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 9 in adjusted offensive efficiency.
“When you start watching them,” Shulman said, “it looks like they’ve been together for four or five straight years with all those guys. And, again, a testament to that coaching staff and to the culture and to the program.”
“… So connected, so surprising that they are where they are right now. But my gosh, they are connected in there. Really good. It’s fun it’s fun to watch. It’s not always fun to try to score against. It’s very fun to watch.”
