Rick Barnes on Chaz Lanier after 76-75 loss at Vanderbilt: 'This is all new for him'

NASHVILLE — Chaz Lanier started practicing his free-throw motion before he ever stepped to the line. Tennessee’s fifth-year senior guard had just been inexplicably fouled in the backcourt with 2.8 seconds left and Vanderbilt leading the Vols by two points.

Lanier, the Nashville native playing in front of a big crowd of family and friends, made the first free throw look easy enough. The ball didn’t touch the rim, swishing through the net and getting his team back within a point.

The second one was off, though, bouncing off the rim and ending No. 6 Tennessee’s chaotic rally from down 16 points in the final 11 minutes of the 76-75 loss at Memorial Gymnasium. 

It was the only free throw Lanier missed in the game — he’s making 76.6% of his foul shots this season, fourth highest on the team — on his way to a game-high 17 points. 

“Chaz is such a great person,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said after the game. “I mean, he’s great. He’s so unselfish. I hate it for him. Our team does, because he wants to win.”

Chaz Lanier had a season-high five turnovers in loss at Vanderbilt

Lanier got back to making shots for Tennessee (16-3, 3-2 SEC), finishing 5 of 11 from the floor and 4-for-6 at the 3-point line after going 8 of 43 from the floor and 4-for-24 from three over his previous three games.

The issue Saturday afternoon was turnovers, though, with Lanier committing five of Tennessee’s 11. It was a season high, after committing what was a season-high three in the 73-43 loss at Florida 11 days ago. 

“This is all new for him,” Barnes said. 

Instead of focusing on the missed free throw, Barnes talked about Lanier’s path over the last four years — his rapid rise from a breakout season at North Florida to one of the biggest names in the NCAA Transfer Portal to the focus of Tennessee’s offense — and what he’ll have to do to keep growing.

Lanier leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.1 points per game, but he’s still in the middle of a learning curve.

“Imagine four years ago, man,” Barnes said, “he was averaging two points a game.”

Chaz Lanier had a breakout senior season at North Florida, averaging 19.7 points per game

Lanier was averaging 4.7 points and 19.7 minutes per game two seasons ago at North Florida, before erupting as a senior last season, averaging 19.7 points per game while shooting 44.0% from the 3-point line and 51.0% from the field.

“Last year he had a good year,” Barnes said. “The next thing you know he is one of the most sought-after players in the country. And he picked Tennessee for all the right reasons. And he’s very humble.”

Maybe too humble. Barnes said the Vols could use a more selfish Lanier, looking to do more to get his shots. But right now it’s still a lesson Lanier is having to learn. 

“I could tell him (to) do more,” Barnes said, “be more aggressive, do this, do that. But he’s learning to play at a whole different level. I mean, it’s a whole different level. The physicality that he has seen to this point, he didn’t get it ever. And it’s not going to change.”

It’s up to Lanier to change, improving in the areas that Barnes has talked about in recent weeks — cutting harder, doing more to get open off screens, getting off shots when the separation is there.   

“He’s going to have to keep learning how to deal with it,” Barnes said, “and it’s going to be movement, speed, getting separation. But I do think his teammates are trying hard to get him open.

“ .. We’ve talked enough about what options he’s got to get to, but he’s just going to have to get to them quicker.”