The Tennessee basketball team is gearing up for a marquee exhibition against Michigan State, and head coach Rick Barnes has some specific things he wants to see from his players. With the absence of key players due to various reasons, Barnes is looking to test the young players and see how they perform in a new environment. He wants to see if they can handle the pressure and maintain a sustained effort throughout the game.
One area of focus for Barnes is the post play. With opponents likely to focus on guarding the shooters, Barnes wants to see if the post players can step up and deliver. He is particularly interested in seeing how freshmen J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips perform in the nonconference games.
The exhibition game against Michigan State is also a big opportunity for the Tennessee players to showcase their skills in front of a crowd. Barnes believes that playing in front of a crowd adds a different level of excitement and pressure, and he wants to see how his players handle it. He expects the young players to be a bit anxious but hopes that they can execute the things they have practiced.
Overall, Barnes is looking forward to the exhibition game as a chance to learn more about his team and identify areas for improvement. He wants to see how the young players perform in a new environment and how the post players handle the defensive pressure. It’s an exciting opportunity for the Tennessee basketball team to test themselves against a top-ranked opponent and gain valuable experience for the upcoming season.