The Tennessee Volunteers have two very productive things going for them heading into Monday night’s game against Mercer inside the Food City Center.
They’re Duke-tested, and they’re still undefeated following last Sunday night’s 83-76 exhibition loss to the visiting Blue Devils.
“We got a lot out of that. We really did,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said this past week in a news conference. “The best response was what happened after we watched the tape. We went out on the court and saw guys really lock in. We’ve got a long way to go defensively with as many new guys as we have, but it was a great experience for us.
“Again, the best thing about it was the response after the film and how we went out and tried to get better.”
The No. 18 Vols led by nine in the first half, but the No. 6 Blue Devils outscored Tennessee 46-33 after the break. Duke five-star freshman forward Cameron Boozer punished the Vols with 24 points and an eye-popping 23 rebounds.