By Jimmy Hyams

When I learned SEC basketball media had picked the Tennessee men to finish 13^th in the SEC, one thought game to mind: What do they know that I don’t know?

I was flabbergasted.

I picked Tennessee 6^th. I also picked the Vols to win 20 regular-season games and make the NCAA Tournament. I didn’t think a jump from 16 wins to 20 was farfetched. And I thought 20 wins would ensure an NCAA bid.

So what did I see that others didn’t?

Basically, three things.

1. Player improvement. I felt under coach Rick Barnes and his staff, the players would be better. That has held true in many respects. I think you can argue that Grant Williams, Lamonte Turner, Jordan Bone, Jordan Bowden, Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander – the core of the returners – are better. In a tangible sense, look at the 3-point shooting. Schofield has gone from 38.9 percent to 39.3 percent; he was in the mid-40s recently. Bowden has gone from 31.5 percent to 42.7 percent, and he was over 60 percent entering SEC play. Turner has gone from 32.8 percent to 39.1 percent. And Bone has gone from 30.4 percent to 34.6 percent. Also the team has gone from 32.6 to 37.9.
2. The European trip. Many teams that had made summer excursions did well that season,  whether the trip was to Europe or Australian or Asia. It can help build a bond and team chemistry. Several SEC teams have advanced to the Final Four after having made overseas trips.
3. More guard depth. I felt the additions of grad transfer James Daniel (who led the nation in scoring two years ago) and junior college transfer Chris Darrington would add production. While Darrington has struggled, Daniel has been in double digit six times in scoring and twice in assists.

I thought those three things would make Tennessee better.

I also thought a more experienced team would do a better job of closing out games. That was put to the test when Tennessee blew a 15-point first half lead against Villanova and crumpled in the second half against North Carolina.

But for the most part, UT has found a way to put away close games. The Vols are 6-3 in games decided by five points or fewer, with the defeats to North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri.

How Tennessee finishes the season will be intriguing.

In the last three years, after Feb. 1, Tennessee has closed the season 8-21. Part of that can be attributed to a not-so-good team. Part of it can be blamed on injuries to leading scorers Kevin Punter (two years ago) and Robert Hubbs (last year).

Can this team close strong? That remains to be seen.

Tennessee is 4-2 since Feb. 1 with games remaining against Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Georgia – then the SEC Tournament.

To this point, though, no one can argue that UT has overachieved. Of UT’s top eight players, seven were three star and one (Daniel) was a one star.

That means UT has done a good job of evaluating and/or developing talent.

ESPN basketball analyst Seth Greenberg made an interesting observation earlier this week. He said one reason Villanova, Virginia and Purdue are so good is because they are senior-laden teams with players that have played together for years.

His formula for winning in college: Getting old and staying old.

Greenberg thinks Barnes is using that formula to build Tennessee’s program.

“He has recruited guys that are willing to be coached, play hard and have toughness,’’ Greenberg said. “Then you add pieces to that foundation.’’

Tennessee plays just one senior: Daniel. That should bode well for next season.

If UT can add the right piece or two for next season, then making the NCAA Tournament, competing for a top five seed and winning 20 games won’t be a surprise.

And UT won’t be picked 13^th again, either.

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