Two Top 5 Teams Square Off as Kansas, Tennesse Clash

If your not a huge football fanatic, or your just more of a basketball person, Friday night features a highly anticipated battle between two heavyweights.

The second ranked Kansas Jayhawks will test themselves when they face the Tennesse Volunteers on Friday night at the NIT Season Tip-Off at 8:00 PM CT, on ESPN2.

Both teams will be looking to catapult their reśumés from so-so to elite on Friday night. Both teams will be looking to build some confidence and momentum heading into conference play.

We got to this point based off the results of Wednesday’s action filled, yet predictable contests. The Kansas Jayhawks ousted the Marquette Golden Eagles 77-68. Kansas trailed at halftime, but a 22-0 spark early in the second half propelled them to victory.

Tennesse found themselves in an all offense thriller with Louisville, with the Vols coming away with the 91-82 win.

It’s safe to say that both teams will be relying on their leaders, Tennesse’s being reigning SEC player of the year Grant Williams. His counter part will be Kansas’ big, Aduka Azibuike. 

Williams is averaging a team high 22.5 points per contest for the Vols, and he’s grabbing 8.5 boards per game to add to that. 

Aziubuike, meanwhile, is coming off a game where he played just 15 minutes due to foul trouble, which has been a concern for him ever since he started playing in Lawrence. If Kansas is going to win this game, they will need the big man on the floor to match up with Tennesse’s Grant Williams.

Transfer Dedric Lawson will also try to hold his own against Williams. Lawson is the Jayhawks’ biggest presence on the glass, as he is snatching up 9.8 rebounds each night. 

Now that we know the talent both sides have down low, let’s get to the X-factor, which just may be the backcourt play.

Kansas freshman Devon Dotson and Quienten Grimes have transitioned from high school to the college game rather smoothly. However, the biggest surprise could be how well Lagerald Vick has stepped up with the departure of guards Devonte Graham and Malik Newman. Vick has been white hot from 3-point range, and has two 30 point games to his name.

On the other side, we have Tennesse and their talented back court led by senior guard Admiral Schofield, who is averaging 4.8 assists per game. Schofield is very aggressive, and helps get the ball into transition right away, partly due to his high rebounding mark of 7.3 boards per game. 

On a positive note, Tennesse coach Rick Barnes has Lamont Turner back in the lineup, who scored 13 points and was huge down the stretch against Louisville. 

Both teams have relatively solid benches, and both are coming off of hard fought wins, so it is as even as it gets.

Friday night is sure to be a thriller, and whoever emerges as the victor will defintley have their ranking solidified. 

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