KNOXVILLE – The Thompson-Boling Arena dress rehearsal for Tennessee’s six basketball freshmen went according to the script Thursday night.
Next time it will count.
The Volunteers blew open a close game midway through the first half and scored 44 points off 30 turnovers to cruise to an 83-48 exhibition win against Division II Slippery Rock as Tennessee’s eight first-year players made their lone public showcase ahead of next Friday’s opener against UT-Chattanooga.
“We’re still learning a lot about these guys,” Vols coach Rick Barnes said. “I’ve said to you guys for a long time now there’s a big gap between any one of these guys.
Robert Hubbs, Tennessee’s lone senior, scored a team-high 14 points with 8-of-8 free-throw shooting in 12 minutes, but Thursday night was mainly about the newcomers.