By Sawyer Hunley
The sluggish start seems to be a very common trend for Tennessee to start this season.
The question now is: Is this a cause for concern moving forward, or just a bump in the road as the season opens?
This could go either way for Tennessee, as the slow starts have been a struggle not only in their first two regular-season games but also in their two exhibition games.
So far in the regular season, Tennessee is averaging only 34 points in the first half while shooting just 44% from the field.
Many of Tennessee’s star offensive players are visibly pressing to get shots up and almost look anxious to start games and even throughout games.
“Some of the shots that we shoot—again, we want guys to take open shots, but we want to take the shots, but we miss some of them, the way we miss them, we shouldn’t miss it, you know? And I think that’s from being anxious, overly excited, or whatever it may be,” said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes.
This has been very visible so far with Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris, who was expected to be one of the go-to guys for the Volunteers this season.
Harris is off to a rough start, shooting just 31% and an even uglier 25% from three.
The Salisberry, North Carolina product was Wake Forest’s star player, leading the team in scoring at 21 points per game.
His game hasn’t quite translated to Tennessee yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
According to his coach, one way Harris can get more involved offensively is to take more mid-range shots and drive to the basket.
“You know, I think Juke should be one of the best mid-range players in the country. He’s big, he’s strong. But again, to start the game, both Juke and Bishop could have driven the ball maybe all the way to the basket. And we’ve got to drive it, get in there, and make them stop you. If they don’t stop you, keep going,” said Barnes.
Getting to the basket and drawing fouls would be the easiest way for the talented player to get the ball through the net more often and build that confidence.
If Tennessee doesn’t get Juke Harris going, it could be a long offensive season, so that must be a priority for Rick Barnes and his staff.
UP NEXT: The Vols won’t have long to focus on that, as they’re back on the court Friday to take on Tennessee State in the Food City Center.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday night.