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Rick Barnes predicted Jordan Gainey's huge dunk nearly a week in advance

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey11/21/23GrantRamey
Jordan Gainey
(Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports) Nov 20, 2023; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Gainey (2) dunks the ball while defended by Syracuse Orange guard Justin Taylor (5) during the first period at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

Jordan Gainey took the pass from Jahmai Mashack at the 3-point line, swung the ball near his feet then exploded to his left. Tennessee’s transfer guard turned the corner at the top of the key, went downhill toward the rim and finished the huge dunk with his left hand.

Naheem McCloud, Syracuse’s 7-foot-4 forward, was nothing more than a spectator on the other side of the rim.

Rick Barnes couldn’t have been surprised to watch the play unfold. He predicted it would happen last week.

“(He’s) more explosive than you think,” Barnes said after Tennessee’s win over Wofford last Tuesday at Thompson-Boling Arena. “He had a couple dunks in practice that were like where did that come from? And I think we’ll see it at some point in time this year.”

The dunk was Gainey’s only made shot from the floor in No. 7 Tennessee’s 73-56 win over Syracuse on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

The Vols (4-0) will need more from Gainey, who entered the tournament as the team’s second leading scorer, against No. 2 Purdue (4-0) on Tuesday (8 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN) in the semifinal round.

Gainey, Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey’s son, scored 40 points over his first three games this season, going a combined 14-for-31 from the field, including 8-for-18 from the 3-point line.

Jordan Gainey this season: 10.5 points per game, 42.1% 3FG, 39.5% FG

Against Syracuse he was 1-for-7 from the floor and missed his only 3-point attempt. He added three rebounds and two steals, but had three turnovers. 

Dalton Knecht scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half before battling cramps in the second half. Josiah-Jordan James had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Jonas Aidoo had 14 points and 11 boards. 

“Really tough, hard-fought game,” Barnes said during his postgame press conference. “I’m really, really proud of our older group at the end when we had some different situations. Turned it over in ways that we normally shouldn’t. But I thought our older guys, guys that had been in a lot of big games. Josiah was terrific today, rebounding. He and Jonas came up big on the glass.

“But our older guys defensively were locked in, did a lot of really good things for us. I think we know we can be better on the offense, but it’s the way I thought we kept our composure and through some tough situations for us. 

“We did some things that are out of character,” Barnes added, “but (Syracuse) had a lot to do with that too. They really are very aggressive with getting in the passing lanes, tipping the ball back, tipping all that. But really nice win for us.”

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