University of Tennessee Athletics
First Road Test Ahead For Vols
December 16, 2014 | Men's Basketball
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee heads to North Carolina State on Wednesday night with a dual challenge.
After a win over a top-15 opponent Sunday, the Volunteers have to build on the momentum of that performance while also finding their way on the road for the first time under Donnie Tyndall.
"No matter where you're at, the toughest thing to do in college basketball is to win on the road," Tyndall said Tuesday at his team boarded the bus to begin the trip to NC State. "It's incredibly challenging, the home court advantage is huge."
The team they will find waiting for them in Raleigh comes in with something to prove as well. The Wolfpack dropped a 55-54 decision to Wofford on Sunday afternoon after a game-winning 3-pointer was wiped off the board on an official's review. It was the first home loss of the season for NCSU, though it came in their alternate home, Reynolds Coliseum, rather than the PNC Arena where the Volunteers will visit Wednesday.
Tennessee knows the result from Sunday for both teams. Just as they expect the best shot from the Wolfpack, the Volunteers know they cannot rest on their result from last week and expect to show up for the same in Raleigh.
"It's all about the process of improving every day," Tyndall said of managing the team's emotions after the win Sunday. "Every day as a coach, I talk to my team about improving individually so that collectively our team gets better. I have to get better every day as a coach, every player on our team has to get better every day, and our team will improve. The wins will take care of themselves."
It's a message the Tennessee players have taken to heart.
"I think the most important thing right now is to remain humble," junior forward Armani Moore said. "We're going into this game very poised, doing what we know we can do best."
Josh Richardson remembers PNC Arena well. He scored 41 points in Tennessee's two NCAA Tournament wins in the building in March.
Though the arena and playing on the road may be well within his comfort zone, Richardson acknowledges the challenge that faces his young basketball team in its first true road test.
"I think it'll take a small learning curve in the first half, getting comfortable," Richardson said. "But I think after we get rolling, they'll be fine."
