WATCH: Tennessee basketball celebrates 82-71 victory over Texas by flashing Horns down sign
The Tennessee basketball program (18-3 overall) is scorching hot yet again this season and they took care of business on Saturday in a showdown with the Texas Longhorns, soundly defeating them 82-71. Four different Volunteers scored in double figures in the victory. Tennessee got 49 combined points from the likes of Zakai Zeigler (22 points) and Olivier Nkhamhoua (27 points). Following the win, the Volunteers players decided to celebrate on the court by flashing the ‘Horns down sign in a group photo.
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The Volunteers were up 40-28 after the first half and they wouldn’t come close to relinquishing that lead in the second half, winning by 11 points. Texas guard Marcus Carr did not have his best showing, scoring 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field. He also chipped in four rebounds and three assists. Texas’ leading scorer was Sir’Jabari Rice, who pumped in 21 points in 31 minutes of work.
The Tennessee defense is a force to be reckoned with this year
Tennessee dominated Texas on the glass, owning a commanding 38-23 advantage on the glass. Sharpshooter Santiago Vescovi pumped in 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Vols, who led by as many as 22 points midway through the second half. This year’s Tennessee team features a stifling brand of defense. They’ve been averaging 9.7 steals per game and the all-time school record is 10.03 steals per game in 2005-2006.
Tennessee shot 55.6 percent from the field in Saturday’s game–connecting on 30 of their 54 attempts.
Tennessee currently sits at 18-3 overall on the 2022-2023 season. They’re currently projected in the No. 1 seed territory, when it comes to seeding for the 2023 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Their next two games come against the Florida Gators (Feb. 1 at 7:00 PM EST) and the Auburn Tigers (Feb. 4 at 2:00 PM EST).