Rick Barnes shares key to big runs for Tennessee

When No. 4 Tennessee gets rolling, it’s hard to get them to stop. Their top-notch defense holds you down and then, once their offense finds a groove, it can be all downhill for their opponents. To Rick Barnes, those runs the Volunteers can go on are what has separated them to this point this season.

Barnes described how his team gets on runs during his postgame press conference after the Vols knocked off Georgia 70-41 on Wednesday night. He said the key to it is their offense. There’s a lot that has to add up but, considering their defense can consistently string stops together, it’s all about when their offense gets going with ball movement and spacing to go with their shot-making

“It’s really when we’re moving the ball and we’re looking to make the pass as opposed to catching the ball and already being pre-determined,” said Barnes. “When we move the ball, get our spacing? We’re gonna end up with some good shots. And then you couple that with the fact that we can get some deflections? You hope some of those can lead to easy baskets in transition.”

“I think it’s a combination of a couple of different things that can get you going on those runs. Plus, if you can get some stops in there? That’s what can really break it loose for you,” Barnes said.

This was a two-point game in Tennessee’s favor with a little under 11 minutes to go. From there, the Volunteers went on a 16-5 run over the final 10:52 of the first half. They then opened the second half on a 22-8 run that pushed the lead up to 27. In the end, Barnes’ team would lead by as much as 31 during the 29-point romp in Knoxville.

This sort of scenario is what makes Tennessee so dangerous. Their No. 1 defense is going to keep offenses in check regardless of how much they’re scoring. Mix in some offensive production their way and that’s where they can bury their opposition. It’s what has made them so successful to this point of their campaign and is the kind of potent mix that will continue to give them a chance to win, and win big, down the stretch of the season and at the end of the year.