The Vols pick up win No. 1.
It took a few minutes, but Tennessee eventually breezed past Gardner-Webb for their first win of the season. Chaz Lanier was the driving force, hitting a couple of three-point shots and a layup to provide Tennessee’s first separation of the night.
Jordan Gainey joined the party with a couple of three-pointers of his own.
Gardner-Webb didn’t go down easy though. They battled to keep it within 12 points at halftime after having it in the single digits for most of the first half. Daryl Simmons II led the way early on, scoring 11 points and hitting 4-7 shots from the field.
Tennessee led 44-32 at the halftime break.
Igor Milicic got the second half started with four quick points to provide even more separation. Mashack knocked down a three to push the lead out to 19 points. Tennessee would coast from there.
Lanier led the way with 18 points, shooting 4-6 from three-point range. Gainey followed with 16, while Zakai Zeigler added 13 points and nine assists.
“We’re a whole different team than we were a year ago,” Rick Barnes said after the win. “We’re a young team in some ways, other ways, and we’re young in the fact we haven’t played that much together. I mean, if you think about it, you got three guys in Jordan, Zakai, and Jahmai (that) have been in high level games. Elite Eight games. They understand what it’s like. Those other guys have no clue.”
Two of those newcomers — Darlinstone Dubar and Bishop Boswell — were not available for this one. Barnes said Dubar was dealing with a personal matter, and a timetable for his return is in his hands.
Barnes also mentioned that Felix Okpara was dealing with a hip pointer. Okpara still played 25 minutes, scoring two points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Tennessee will be back in action on Saturday, travelling to Louisville for a noon tip-off.