Tennessee Has Worked Hard For Redemption In Indianapolis After Mid-Season Wakeup Call In Lexington

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some folks will say that a team finds their identity towards the beginning of March Madness, but it was during the regular season where things really started to click for this Tennessee basketball team. Not at the beginning, but straight dab in the middle. After a horrible loss to Kentucky, 107-79 at Rupp Arena, players knew the only way they would achieve their goals would be to get back to the basics.

That game against the Wildcats was an embarrassment, and it aired on national television. But it was also the moment that the Vols turned the corner. They took it as a learning lesson and knew they never wanted to feel that way again, Josiah-Jordan James said.











It's crazy enough that Tennessee is returning to the scene of its last tournament loss: Indianapolis, where they lost to Oregon State last season. Playing on the same court, walking around the same hotel, scooting around the same city, could all bring up bad memories. But this squad decided instead to view it as a shot at redemption.

Nobody could've prepared for that loss to Oregon State last season. That Tennessee team had so much talent and left so much potential on the court. The exit set Rick Barnes off on a journey to find leaders who could take them to the next level in 2021-2022.

The talent on last year's roster doesn't compare to the brotherhood on this team. Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, John Fulkerson have all taken the next step. And the SEC Tournament was only the beginning of the ride.

As we watched the Vols practice on Wednesday, we could tell this group was laid back. The music vibes featured the heavenly voices of Boyz II Men, while Vescovi had a bit of a dance party before the practice began.

But if you ask this group about what lies ahead after the disappointment of last season, the answer shouldn't surprise you. Josiah-Jordan James made it clear: their true goals still lie ahead.