Tennessee’s preseason tune-up took on a sharper edge Thursday inside Pratt Pavilion, where the Vols spent plenty of their practice time locked in on defense with the opener against Wofford now just five days away.
The biggest theme was clear: tighten things up without the ball. A lot of the work centered on defending screens, and the message was unmistakable. “Good guards don’t get screened,” was a phrase that came through loud and clear.
That defensive push has been a major point of emphasis all preseason, right alongside rebounding, and Rick Barnes’ group has responded. The effort has been there, and the staff has seen steady improvement as opening night approaches.
There was also a clean bill of health across the board on Thursday. Everyone was full go in practice, nobody looked limited, and Barnes said the team was good to go. That means Tennessee is set to take the floor Tuesday night with a fully healthy roster.
One of the standout developments has been Tyler Lundblade’s return. His movement and efficiency as a shooter stood out Thursday, and the look he brings offensively is hard to ignore.
He can score from everywhere on the floor, but his value goes beyond shot-making. Barnes and sophomore forward DeWayne Brown II both pointed to Lundblade’s growing voice as a leader.
“I’ve had so many people comment to me about how he was even at the Duke game,” Barnes said. “He was talking to the team, and that did translate to the game Saturday against Davidson.
His leadership is experience. He’s been through it.
It’s not about Tyler. He knows that our team needs that.
When he played Saturday, it’s just different because of him being vocal. One thing he does, he really encourages his guys.
He’s been around the game. He knows more than just basketball, and he understands the mental side of it.”
Brown saw the same thing from an opposing perspective. With Lundblade stretching the floor, he makes life tougher for defenders and changes how the offense can function.
“I’d say it’s very different,” Brown said. “Like I said, [he’s] able to space the floor.
People are really not going to leave him much. They’re going to chase him off of every action.
If he’s standing in the corner, they’re going to be right up against him. So in some ways, it’s like we’re playing four on four when he’s on the court.”
Tennessee opens the season Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET against the Wofford Terriers at Food City Center, with SEC Network carrying the game.
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