Tennessee Volunteers vs Miami Hurricanes Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Tennessee Carries No. 1 Ranking Into Battle With Miami

With five nonconference games remaining, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes has positioned the Volunteers (8-0) as the new No. 1 team in the nation. The Volunteers will put their top ranking to the test Tuesday night against Miami in the prestigious Jimmy V Classic in New York City.

Tennessee’s rise to the top spot comes after a dominant start to the season and back-to-back losses by previous No. 1 Kansas. The Volunteers have showcased depth, defense, and consistent scoring, making them one of the most formidable teams in college basketball.

Tennessee’s Stellar Start and Chaz Lanier’s Impact

The Volunteers have overwhelmed opponents in their first eight games, with their closest margin of victory being a 15-point win over then-No. 13 Baylor in the Bahamas. In that game, Tennessee raced to a 47-20 halftime lead and never looked back, solidifying their reputation as a defensive powerhouse.

A major catalyst for Tennessee’s success has been transfer guard Chaz Lanier. The sharpshooter from North Florida delivered a standout performance in the SEC/ACC Challenge against Syracuse, scoring 26 points and hitting four 3-pointers in a commanding 96-70 victory. Lanier’s ability to stretch defenses has added a new dimension to Tennessee’s offense.

Lanier credits teammate Zakai Zeigler for helping him transition seamlessly to the Volunteers’ system:
“He just makes the game so much easier. He’s a leader on and off the court and in the locker room. He just drops knowledge to me and gives me great insight on the game.”

Lanier is shooting 44 percent from deep and provides Tennessee with a consistent offensive spark, complementing the team’s defensive excellence.

Miami’s Struggles and Keys to Improvement

Miami (3-6) enters the Jimmy V Classic in stark contrast to Tennessee, carrying a six-game losing streak. The Hurricanes’ latest setback came in a 65-55 loss to Clemson in their ACC opener. Despite trailing by just one point at halftime, Miami faltered offensively, shooting 41.1 percent from the field and a dismal 4-for-25 from beyond the arc.

Leading scorer Nijel Pack, averaging 14.1 points per game, went scoreless against Clemson, missing all seven of his shot attempts. Coach Jim Larranaga attributed Pack’s struggles to Clemson’s defensive physicality:
“You have to give credit to Jaeden Zackery because he’s a little taller than Nijel but weighs 30 or 40 pounds more and is very physical.”

Larranaga also pointed to chemistry issues, which have plagued the team for consecutive seasons due to injuries and roster changes. Missing key forward Kiree Huie has left the Hurricanes undersized and struggling to rebound effectively.

Keys to the Matchup

Tennessee will look to maintain its suffocating defense and efficient scoring, relying on Lanier’s sharpshooting and Zeigler’s leadership. The Volunteers’ ability to dominate on the boards and stifle Miami’s 3-point attempts will be crucial.

For Miami, breaking out of their offensive slump and finding a consistent secondary scorer to support Pack will be essential. Improving their shooting from deep and controlling the tempo against Tennessee’s relentless defense will be their best chance to compete.

As Tennessee seeks to stay unbeaten and Miami hopes to turn its season around, this clash in the Jimmy V Classic promises to be a fascinating matchup between two teams with contrasting trajectories.