Tennessee will need 3-point shooting as well as defense down the stretch

College basketball coaches will turn up the volume on their pleas for more defense in the next few weeks.

That’s not to suggest the subject is ever far from their consciousness. In analyzing almost any defeat a coach likely will allude to inadequate defense, whether the failure was game-long or only at the most crucial time.

But defense becomes more paramount as teams prepare for the stretch run of the regular season and beyond. They’re either playing for inclusion in the NCAA tournament, or trying to raise their postseason seeding.

I wouldn’t discount the importance of defense in postseason pursuits. But, teams also should figure out how to overcome the increased demands for defense.

That applies to Tennessee, which is equipped to not just play its way into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013-14, but having postseason success as well.

Defensive critiques have been prominent in most of Tennessee coach Rick Barnes’ postgame press conferences.

UT’s third-year coach pointed to an improved defense in dissecting a road victory over South Carolina. He said it was the best defensive showing since a November upset of Purdue in the Bahamas and wondered aloud about the two-month lapse between the peak performances.

He wondered even more about the absence of defense in a 78-50 loss to Alabama, but credited a revitalized defense for UT’s 70-67 victory over South Carolina three days later.

However, as Tennessee and Florida prepare for Wednesday night’s game at Thompson-Boling Arena, the Vols better be offensive-minded as well.

Suppose all players heed their coaches’ demands to strangle the life out of every offense within their reach. Then, it’s going to take better shooting to overcome the higher level of defense.

UT’s success has been accomplished despite inconsistency in both areas. If you have watched much SEC basketball this season, you realize the Vols aren’t alone in their inconsistency. You could say the same for Florida.

The Vols and Gators share another trait. They can shoot an opponent out of a game from beyond the 3-point line.

Barnes stresses that Tennessee is at its best offensively working inside out. But even if the Vols aren't operating effectively close to the basket, at some point they will need to score from the perimeter.

And they’re capable of that.

Four Vols – James Daniel, Jordan Bowden, Admiral Schofield and Lamonte Turner – rank in the top 20 in the SEC in made 3-pointers. All four have made 36.3 percent or more of their 3-point attempts.

Florida also is deep in 3-point shooters. Jalen Hudson has made 39.5 percent of his 3-point tries; Egor Koulechov, 42.0 percent; Chris Chiozza, 36.3 percent; KeVaughn Allen, 32.8 percent. Keith Stone has attempted only 65 3-pointers but has made 43.1 percent of them.

Defending the 3 could be crucial for Tennessee and Florida on Wednesday and in the postseason. But shooting them could be just as vital.

Because when your season comes down to one last shot – as it frequently does in the NCAA tournament – you don’t know if you will be defending it or taking it.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.