KNOXVILLE – Just 89 seconds into the second half, Rick Barnes yanked the reigning Southeastern Conference player of the year from the floor.
Grant Williams rolled his head in exasperation and momentarily pleaded his case with Tennessee’s fourth-year basketball coach as he walked to the bench.
The exact nature of his offense seemed unclear to the naked eye, but for a program with its sights set on history, even the tiniest of miscues from its most-decorated players must be accounted for.
Tennessee rolled to an 87-48 exhibition victory over Division II member Tusculum College on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. For Division I’s sixth-ranked Volunteers there were breakaway dunks, 50 percent 3-point shooting and even some playing time for the walk-ons.
There were also plenty of teaching moments for Barnes ahead of their regular-season opener against Lenoir-Rhyne on Tuesday.