The Tennessee Volunteers have had an up-and-down relationship with the three-point line this season, and if their recent shooting struggles are any indication, it might be time for some couples counseling. In a dramatic turn of events, the rim has reportedly “broken up” with Tennessee’s shooters, rejecting shot after shot in brutal fashion. While the Vols continue to fire away from deep, the three-point line seems to be giving them the cold shoulder.
The Three-Point Struggles Are Real
At the beginning of the season, Tennessee looked like a team that could knock down threes with confidence. However, in recent games, their three-point percentage has taken a nosedive, leaving fans wondering if the team is secretly playing a game of “Who Can Hit the Backboard the Hardest?”
Opposing defenses have noticed, too. Rather than closing out aggressively on Tennessee’s shooters, defenders are now standing back, daring them to take the deep shot. It’s like watching a game of HORSE, except Tennessee keeps losing. Even wide-open looks are rimming out, and at this point, it feels like the basketball gods are playing a cruel joke on the Volunteers.
When Confidence Turns to Chaos
At their best, the Vols can be a dangerous team from beyond the arc. But when those shots don’t fall, things can get ugly fast. The offense starts to stall, players hesitate on open looks, and frustration builds. Instead of working the ball inside or looking for high-percentage shots, Tennessee often keeps firing away from deep—sometimes from distances that make NBA shooters raise an eyebrow.
The problem isn’t just missing threes—it’s missing them at the worst possible times. Just when the Volunteers need a momentum-shifting shot, the ball clanks off the rim like it has a personal vendetta. And as the frustration mounts, bad shot selection creeps in, leading to possessions that look more like heat checks than actual offensive sets.
The Path to Redemption
If Tennessee wants to mend its broken relationship with the three-point line, they need to take a different approach. Instead of forcing deep shots early in the shot clock, they should work inside-out, establishing a rhythm before launching bombs from beyond the arc. Better ball movement and smarter shot selection could help rebuild confidence.
Of course, there’s always the option of bribing the rim with flowers and chocolates. At this point, Tennessee might need all the help they can get.
