| | By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
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Friday, Oct. 13
The Volunteers have been tough to figure out over the last two years. The Vols have depth and talent, but the problem seems
to be how to play everyone.
Tennessee shows flashes of being one of the
best teams in the nation, and performs very well overall in the regular
season, but then will have melt downs at key times. Witness the explosion in
the 1999 NCAA Tournament against SW Missouri State, and the collapse late
against a very good North Carolina team in the 2000 Sweet 16.
Now that the key performers on this team are mature, and have been close without hitting
the finish line strong, this could be the year for Tennessee to get it done.
Clearly, this team understands how to win during the regular season,
totaling 20, 21 and 26 wins the last three years, now they need to
internalize how to become champions together.
The incentive is there, after watching North Carolina and Florida advance to the Final Four last year. But, will that sting be enough?
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Frontcourt
Swingman Vincent Yarbrough has the potential to be a truly great player this season. Yarbrough is an extraordinary athlete and, at 6-foot-7, can play either guard spot, while guarding almost every position on the floor.
He is a capable outside shooter, runs the court, rebounds well, and can attack the basket. Yarbrough turned in a strong sophomore campaign, averaging 14.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. But, while he put up stellar numbers a year ago, he did not shoot the ball extremely well, indicating that with improved shot selection and shooting percentages, he can explode by 2001.
The knock on Yarbrough is that he settles for jump shots too much, and does not attack the defense seeking contact. He was quietly criticized for his performance during the play of the U.S. Select Team, especially on
the defensive end, with some insiders complaining that Yarborough doesn't
really understand how to play yet. Of course, Yarbrough is an undeniable
star on the collegiate level, and such criticism comes with the territory of
talent and expectations.
With his athleticism, skill level, great hands and long arms, Yarbrough can be the best player in the SEC.
On a close plane of talent with Yarbrough is Isiah Victor, who could be the best pro
prospect in a Vols uniform. Victor (9.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) emerged as Tennessee's
best inside player in 1999-00, leading the Vols in scoring, rebounding and
shooting percentage. But his numbers fell off late in the season.
Victor is loaded with ability. He can run the floor and attack the basket. But Victor got pushed around too much, and he's tried to get stronger with a summer of lifting weights and putting on five pounds -- which is like putting five pounds on Kate Moss. He can be too fast at times, trying to do too much. His challenge will be finding consistency at a high level.
He's still just scratching the surface, and he should bring the sense of urgency that comes with being a senior.
Charles Hathaway has not been the same player since his bout with a blood clot in his shoulder. But this senior can be a capable rebounder and post defender. Without C.J. Black, Hathaway needs to be more aggressive to be a factor.
Ron Slay, who played at Oak Hill with Virginia's Travis Watson and Maryland's Steve Blake, proved that he was more than a fashion plate last year with his signature headband. Slay, who does a mean impression of Jerry Green, plays with tremendous energy and hustle, and was really productive in the minutes he received.
Slay (9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 51 percent FGs) has great hands, goes after the ball with abandon, and can finish. He will be tough to keep
out of the starting line up. Marcus Haslip is the Vols most improved player heading into the season, and he has a real knack for scoring inside. While he averaged just 4.4 points a game, he did tally 22 against West Virginia. Haslip, who got himself tossed from a game last season with some youthful exuberance, grew an inch and put on 20 pounds.
|  | | Tony Harris has the ability to take over a game for the Vols. |
Slay, Yarbrough and Victor could be playing together some, which will test the Vols inside defense. However, it
will also give Tennessee great balance and flexibility in its lineup.
Backcourt
Tony Harris and Jon Higgins will anchor a very solid backcourt, that features depth and talent.
Harris was second to Yarbrough in Vols scoring, averaging 14.8 points and four assists a game. He shot 41 percent from the field and is perhaps the most explosive guard in the SEC. Harris has great quickness, and can really motor up and down the court with the ball. He has great rise on his shot, shoots it with range, and has improved his
intermediate game to get his pull-up jumper more consistent.
Jon Higgins showed the ability to play the point as a freshman, and was able to move
Harris to the off guard spot to concentrate on scoring. Higgins does not turn it over, something his teammates do with
great regularity, but did not shoot it well in his first season (6.4 ppg,
2.1 apg, 55 percent FT). Higgins, however, is a capable shooter with a good stroke, and should be able to raise his
numbers.
Virginia Tech transfer Jenis Grindstaff, who led the Hokies in scoring and assists three years ago, is healthy after tearing his ACL early last season. He could see time as a starter, or off the bench. Grindstaff
lost his mother and father separately before the season, and his dad's last
wish was to see him play for the Vols.
Grindstaff is a good athlete -- he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies -- who can shoot and handle the ball well enough to
be a solid contributor. Harris, Higgins and Grindstaff can each play either
guard spot.
Harris Walker and Terrence Woods will both push for significant time, and allow head coach Jerry Green to send his starting five out on the floor to pressure without worry of fouls. Walker is strictly a point guard, and is lightning quick on defense. Woods is strictly an off guard, with a great shooting stroke, who put out some solid minutes off the bench in 2000.
Bottom Line
The Vols are trying to establish the foundation of a contending program. So far, they have fielded good teams,
but have not inspired confidence in their ability to beat the best with the lights on. This year can be different, and serve as a springboard to future stability.
This team can win it all, but they can also have a melt down in the NCAAs. Only the Vols know which team will show up for the first day of practice, and which one will contend for the championships in March. | |
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